The Development of a New Mandibular Osteosynthesis Plate: An Application of the Ashby Approach

Mandible fractures are among the most common bone injuries in facial traumas. Currently, mandibular fracture repair is carried out with an appropriate osteosynthesis plate. These osteosynthesis plates are also used to provide mastication function as soon as possible after operation. Therefore, the plates employed should ensure functional, mechanical, and morphological rehabilitation. Many researchers have reported that the titanium osteosynthesis plates currently used for mandibular defects are often subject to excessive stress. This excessive stress may lead to unexpected fractures of the plates. Unexpected fractures have been indicated as a mechanical weakness of titanium osteosynthesis plates. The aim of the present study is to investigate the mechanical stability and deformation behaviour of commercially available titanium mandibular osteosynthesis plates, as well as to design and develop a new osteosynthesis plate with better mechanical stability. In the first stage of this investigation, an analytical study was carried out to determine the optimum cross-sectional shape for the new plates. Subsequently, the cross-sectional shapes for the new plates were validated by numerical methods. Finally, the project was completed by manufacturing the plates and conducting static mechanical experiments of the developed plates. The mandibular osteosynthesis plates developed here are shown to exhibit improved mechanical stability.