MAXILLOFACIAL FRACTURES IN CHILDREN

A clinico-statistical and long-term follow-up study was performed on 8 1 pediatric fractures seen during the 14 years between 1977 and 1990. Of all maxillofacial fractures, the incidence of pediatric fractures w as 14.7 %. The ratio of boys to girls was 2.1:1, and the highest incid ence involved boys over 13 years of age. Fractures of the upper alveol ar bone and mandible were common. Conservative therapy, such as maxill omandibular fixation using orthodontic brackets was usually performed and was found to be successful. The long-term follow-up study revealed that 5 out of 21 patients with alveolar fractures complained of maloc clusion and it is suggested that a longer duration of intramaxillary f ixation and long-term follow-up might be needed for alveolar fractures in children.