PLATING TECHNIQUES AND PLATE ORIENTATION IN REPAIR OF MANDIBULAR ANGLE FRACTURES - AN IN-VITRO STUDY

A biomechanical model utilizing polystyrene mandibles was devised to e valuate the fixation efficacy of various plating techniques for repair of mandibular angle fractures. A simple angle fracture was created in the mandible models at a standardized location and was repaired using five different plating techniques. Each experimental group consisted of 15 mandibles, with fracture site, plate placement, load application , and fracture displacement measurement standardized to ensure consist ency among experimental groups. Measurement of fracture distraction un der load application generated a load deformation curve and correspond ing slope for each technique. Comparison of load deformation slopes al lowed assessment of fixation stability. When applied with a subapical, medially placed monocortical tension band, bicortical compression pla ting demonstrated the most stable fracture fixation, The data show tha t biplanar plate placement in both monocortical noncompression and bic ortical compression techniques yields a stronger fixation than monopla nar placement.