Mandibular Osteosynthesis with Intraoral Miniplates and Cortical Bone Screws

Previously, this author and others described a technique of maxillomandibular fixation utilizing intraoral cortical bone screws and intermaxillary wires. This procedure has been very successful in achieving superior fixation of relatively undisplaced fractures in a fraction of the time previously required for arch bar application. A method was sought to extend the procedure to include displaced mandibular fractures as well. Miniplates have been utilized through the same intraoral approach to provide reduction of displaced fragments. Excellent fixation has been achieved with anatomical reduction while utilizing less than half the previous operating time. It appears that the majority of mandibular fractures can be treated with this combination of techniques.