Modification of orthodontic brackets for use in intermaxillary fixation

Treatment of pediatric bilateral condylar fractures: A comprehensive analysis

Pediatric bilateral condylar fractures (PBCF) is a rare clinical pathology, where the management is carried out with both conservative and surgical approaches. The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare these two treatment approaches and their associated long term complications in PBCF. An extensive literature review- through the search of online databases- was conducted to survey, collect, analyze and compare the reported outcomes of different treatment modalities for PBCF. The number of studies presenting PBCF case reports was 16, while the number of such retrospective studies included here was 19. Analyses of these studies revealed that the conservative treatment is preferred in PBCF patients younger than 12 years of age. Moreover, a composite approach where the open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is carried out for one side while the intermaxillary fixation (IMF) for the contralateral side is frequently reported for the management of PBCF cases; this approach appears effective in improving daily functioning of temporomandibular joint and reducing long term complications. Performing ORIF for one side while IMF for the contralateral side seems the most common treatment approach in PBCF. This study may help in rapid decision making for treatment selection of PBCF patients while minimizing the risk for late complications.

Management of mandibular fracture in pediatric patient

A pediatric mandibular fracture can cause a child severe pain and the parent or caregiver extreme worry. While the pattern of fractures in children is similar to adults, however, due to a number of factors, including the anatomical complexity of the developing mandible, management of such fractures differs from that of adults and can greatly challenge the pediatric dentist. Various treatment modalities of managing mandibular fracture are available, such as closed/open cap splint with circummandibular wiring, arch-bar fixation, and cementation of the cap splint.

Is it better to bend wires occlusally or apically during placement of arch bars for intermaxillary fixation?

We evaluated 78 patients who had intermaxillary fixation (IMF) of fractured mandibular condyles with arch bars and wires. Depending on whether the wires were bent apically or occlusally during placement of the arch bars, we randomly divided the patients into two groups (n=39 in each), then compared pain, satisfaction with oral hygiene, and complications between the groups at five to six weeks postoperatively when the arch bars were removed. Outcomes were significantly better in the occlusal group than in the apical group.

Conservative treatment of bilateral condylar fractures in children: case report and review of the literature

Two children (11 year old) with bilateral condylar fractures associated with symphysis fracture were conservatively treated. Both of them were followed up for about 1 year. A review of 21 cases of bilateral condylar fracture available in the literature revealed the younger the patient, the better the outcome of TMJ function or in radiographic remodeling. However, the longer the time elapsed, the higher the incidence of remodeling deformity and dysfunction. Thus, it must be better that a close follow-up of bilateral condylar fracture in children should be continued until the end of growth period.

Management of mandibular body fractures in pediatric patients: a case report with review of literature

Mandibular fractures are relatively less frequent in children when compared to adults, which may be due to the child's protected anatomic features and infrequent exposure of children to alcohol related traffic accidents. Treatment principles of mandibular fractures differ from that of adults due to concerns regarding mandibular growth and development of dentition. A case of a 4.5-year-old boy with fractured body of mandible managed by closed reduction using open occlusal acrylic splint and circum mandibular wiring is presented. This article also provides a review of literature regarding the management of mandibular body fracture in young children.

The management of mandibular body fractures in young children

Abstract –  This article reviews the management of mandibular body fractures in young children. Treatment principles of this fracture type differ from that of adults due to concerns regarding mandibular growth processes and dentition development. The goal of this fracture treatment is to restore the underlying bony architecture to its preinjury position in a stable fashion as non‐invasively as possible and with minimal residual esthetic and functional impairment. The management of mandibular body fractures in children depends on the fracture type and the stage of skeletal and dental development; treatment modalities range from conservative non‐invasive, through closed reduction and immobilization methods to open reduction with internal fixation. Disruption of the periosteal envelope of the mandibular body may have an unpredictable effect on growth. Thus, if intervention is required closed reduction is favored.

Direct bonded orthodontic brackets for maxillomandibular fixation

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

Mandibular fracture treatment often includes arch bar maxillomandibular fixation (MMF), either alone or in combination with open reduction/internal fixation (ORIF) techniques. The glove perforation rate associated with arch bar placement, the incidence of blood-borne pathogen positivity in facial fracture patients, and the injurious effects of arch bars on dental enamel and gingiva have prompted the development of safer alternatives to arch bar MMF. This study evaluates the efficacy, ease of use, and safety profile of one such alternative: orthodontic direct bonded bracket fixation (MMF/DBB).

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective study of consecutive mandible fracture patients treated with MMF/DBB.

METHODS

Thirty-two patients with mandibular fractures were evaluated from January 1994 to July 1997. Fourteen were appropriate for treatment with MMF/DBB (12 men and two woman; mean age, 24.6+/-7.2 y; range, 16-42 y). Fracture sites included symphysis, angle, condylar neck, coronoid, and body. Nine patients underwent MMF/DBB alone; five underwent MMF/DBB with subsequent ORIF.

RESULTS

No infection, malocclusion, malunion/nonunion, or enamel/ gingiva injury occurred. Mean follow-up was 6 months (range, 1-12 mo). Oral hygiene with MMF/DBB was superior to historical controls using arch bars.

CONCLUSIONS

MMF/DBB can serve as the single treatment method with satisfactory results in patients with favorable, less complicated mandible fractures, although with increased experience, we have treated several more complex cases with MMF/DBB alone. In cases necessitating ORIF, MMF/DBB can be performed preoperatively to align fracture segments and reestablish occlusion. This facilitates placement of osteosynthesis plates and reduces ORIF operative time. MMF/DBB is an economical, safe technique that minimizes blood-borne-pathogen risk to the operative team, eliminates periodontal injury, facilitates postoperative dental hygiene, and is painless to apply and remove.

Tooth splinting: a review of the literature and consideration of the versatility of a wire-composite splint

The principles of tooth luxation splinting have been changed since the animal and human tests conducted in the early 1970s showed that masticatory stimulus promotes healing of luxated teeth and normally exerted occlusal forces are able to prevent and eliminate small resorption cavities on the root surface. It has also been shown that fixation of only one week is enough to achieve the clinical healing of repositioned teeth. Apart from esthetic and hygienic components, present-day demands on tooth fixation techniques also include ease of construction and removal and the use of devices which allow slight movement of the fixed teeth. This paper presents the history of tooth splinting, our present-day knowledge of the subject, and introduces various splinting techniques. The wide range of indications for a flexible wire-composite splint are analyzed more thoroughly.