“COMPARISON OF LOCKING MINIPLATES WITH CONVENTIONAL MINIPLATES IN MANDIBULAR SYMPHYSIS AND PARASYMPHYSIS FRACTURES - A CLINICAL STUDY”

Abstract

Aim And Objectives: The aim of the study is to evaluate the efciency of locking miniplates and conventional miniplates in the management of mandibular symphysis and para symphysis fractures. The objectives are to assess the Biteforce, Post-operative occlusion, Post operative complications, as Infection, mal union, non-union and Incidence of hard ware failure. Materials And Methods: This clinical study consisted of a sample size of 12 patients who reported to the department of OMFS, Government Dental College and Hospital, Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh with fracture of mandible in symphysis and Para-symphysis region. Patients were randomly divided into 2 equal groups of 6 patients each. Group A patients underwent open reduction and internal xation with locking miniplates and group B patients underwent ORIF with conventional miniplates. Results: In this study we found that the increase in bite force was more in group treated with locking miniplates compared to conventional miniplates, and it was statistically signicant. There was no statistical signicance regarding the parameters like post-operative occlusion, post-operative complications, infection malunion non-union and incidence of hard ware failure. The present study Conclusion: concluded that locking plate system is an extremely useful supplement to plate osteosynthesis as it increases the masticatory efciency. Clinically locking plates were found to be better than conventional miniplates in terms of functional improvement. As the present study was done with a limited sample of 12 patients, further clinical trials with larger sample size are suggested for more afrmative and conclusive results.