Which of the 37 Plates Is the Most Mechanically Appropriate for a Low-Neck Fracture of the Mandibular Condyle? A Strength Testing

Abstract

(1) Background: The mandible is the most frequently injured component of the facial skeleton, with 25–45% of mandibular fractures involving the condylar process. This study aims to mechanically compare which plates are most suitable for use in low-neck fractures of the condyle. (2) Methods: Polyurethane mandibular models with simulated low-neck fractures were tested using 37 distinct plate designs. These plates were fabricated from 1 mm thick, grade 23 titanium sheets. The models were then subjected to force tests on a strength machine, and the correlation between applied force and fracture displacement was recorded. (3) Results: For low-neck fractures, XCP side-dedicated 3+5 and ACP-T plates demonstrated strength comparable to that of two straight plates, the current gold standard in osteosynthesis. (4) Conclusions: The Mechanical Excellence Factor (MEF) introduced by the authors provides a more accurate metric for theoretically predicting a plate’s mechanical strength compared to the Plate Design Factor (PDF). Eight plate characteristics were utilized to calculate the MEF. Employing the MEF allows for rapid, preliminary validation before undertaking strength tests. Furthermore, the findings of this study can guide the selection of the most durable plate designs for subsequent fatigue testing.