3D Titanium Plates for Mandibular Body Fracture Fixation

Facial trauma is common in road traffic accidents (RTA). Due to modernization, increased number of vehicles and failure to follow traffic rules are among various causes of facial trauma. Mandible is one of the frequently fractured bones in RTA. It has been observed that the most common sites of mandibular fracture are angle, body, and ramus.

The incidence of mandibular fracture ranges between 40% and 65% of all facial fractures and so are twice as common as fractures of the midfacial bones. Fractures of the angle of mandible can present with long term disabling sequelae and make up 23%-42% of all fractures in the mandible.

Other than traumatic injuries of the face, there are several factors leading to mandibular body fracture as direct impact or blunt force trauma, indirect trauma to the chin or side of the face, facial fractures, osteoporosis, tumors or cysts in the jawbone, some dental procedures, elderly population, and occupational hazards.

Long term sequel of untreated or poorly treated fractures includes various impairments such as functional, aesthetic, neurological and psychological. The main goal in the treatment of bone fracture is to predictably restore its preinjury anatomical form, with associated aesthetics and function. Techniques for treatment of mandibular fracture have evolved significantly in past decades. These techniques have ranged from closed reduction with maxillomandibular fixation, open reduction with wire osteosynthesis, to open reduction with either rigid internal fixation or adaptive miniplate fixation.

They are best managed by placing one single plate in neutral zone that is sub-apically along with arch bar as tension band. However, in case of severely displaced fractures, inadequate dentition or presence of associated fractures, there are changes in biomechanical vector of forces, which demands for rigid fixation like two plates or load-bearing fixation.

Monocortical plates stabilize the fracture two-dimensionally which can be inadequate fixation in the above-mentioned situations especially in load-bearing area that has led to development of 3D plates. 3D plates are quadrangular in geometry providing stability three-dimensionally due to its design and compact form which counteract against the torsional forces especially in intermental foramen region.

Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) using titanium plates and screws have become the standard of care for stabilizing displaced mandibular body fracture, facilitating proper alignment, and promoting optimal healing. However, the optimal design and thickness of these implants remain subjects of debate among maxillofacial surgeons.