MODIFIED ERICH ARCH BAR- A CROSSOVER BETWEEN IMF SCREWS AND CONVENTIONAL ERICH BAR, AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Introduction: Maxillomandibular xation has been done using Erich arch bar for decades but it has its own disadvantages like gingival trauma, poor oral hygiene, wire prick injuries, time consuming. To overcome this modied Erich arch bar has been discovered but lack of literature on the use of modied Erich arch bar makes it questionable. Therefore, the present observational study focuses on application modied arch bar for maxillomandibular xation. This observational study was conducted on 50 patients that required MMF and receivedMaterials and Methods: intermaxillary xation (IMF) with modied Erich arch bars. The parameters recorded were average surgical time required, wire prick injuries, IMF stability, occlusal stability, screw loosening, oral hygiene status, and vitality response of the teeth. The variables were statistically analyzed and displayed in means of percentage and numbers. The wire prick injury wasResults: found to be only 4 episodes, intraoperative time in average was around 8minutes. Debris indices were found to be mild in all the cases(average=0.65). No vitality response of tooth was around 5 in numbers. The modied Erich arch bar couldconclusion: be a best alternative for conventional Erich bar but clinical trials are required to know about the efciency of modied Erich arc bar over conventional Erich bar.