A COMPARISON OF MANDIBULAR ANGLE FRACTURE PLATING TECHNIQUES

Objective. The purpose of this investigation was to compare the conven tional technique of mandibular angle fracture plating with two biomech anically dissimilar techniques in their abilities to resist vertical l oads similar to masticatory forces. Study design. Three groups of five synthetic hemimandibles with simulated fracture repairs were compared for their capabilities to resist vertical deformation. The convention al group was stabilized with a thin tension band system at the superio r border and thick stabilization plate system at the inferior border. The nontraditional group was stabilized with a thick tension band syst em at the superior border and thin stabilization plate system at the i nferior border. The two miniplate group was stabilized with a thin ten sion band system at the superior border and thin stabilization plate a t the inferior border. A cantilever beam design was used. Testing was performed with an Instron 8511.20 (Instron Corp., Canton, Mass.) mecha nical testing device. The three groups were compared with a two way an alysis of variance. Results. The forces resisted by the conventional g roup (167.6 +/- 18.2 N), the nontraditional group (156.3 +/- 33.9 N), and two miniplate group (154.0 +/- 18.4 N) were not statistically diff erent (F = 0.44, p > 0.66). All failures occurred at the tension bands secured with monocortical screws. Conclusions. Under the conditions d escribed in this in vitro investigation, plate thickness or pattern ma de no difference. All failures in this experiment occurred with monoco rtical screws in the superior border tension band system.