TESTING BIOMECHANICAL STRENGTH OF REPAIRS FOR THE MANDIBULAR ANGLE FRACTURE

A biomechanical model using polystyrene mandibles with simple angle fr actures was developed to evaluate the structural strength of a variety of commonly used plate repairs. The model standardized the fracture l ocation, load site, plate location, and site of deformation measuremen t. The only variables in the study were the nine different reconstruct ion types tested. Precise measurements of the deformation under load d emonstrated statistically significant intragroup reproducibility for e ach repair. Data support previous clinical and experimental studies de monstrating the superiority of a two-plate system applied to the tensi on and compression regions of the mandible when compared to single-pla te repairs using either noncompression (bridging) or eccentric dynamic compression plates.