Efficacy of Three-dimensional Locking Miniplates versus Three-dimensional Standard Miniplates in the Management of Mandibular Fractures - A Prospective Clinical Study.

Introduction: Fifty patients were included to compare the efficacy of three-dimensional (3D) locking miniplates versus 3D standard miniplates in the management of mandibular fractures. Materials and Methods: Fifty patients were randomly allocated to either 3D locking miniplate group or 3D standard miniplate group. All patients were followed for six months to compare post-operative occlusion, stability and associated clinical complications such as wound dehiscence, infection and plate/screw fracture and mental nerve paraesthesia. Results: All the fractures were adequately fixed when checked intraoperatively. Four patients in each group had mildly deranged occlusion, one patient in Group A and two patients in Group B had reduced stability. None of the patients had complications of non-union or malunion. In Group A, one out of 25 patients had mental nerve paraesthesia and two had wound dehiscence. Moreover, in Group B, two patients had mental nerve paraesthesia and two others had wound dehiscence. The data when compared were statistically significant (=0.05). Discussion: The overall result of our study led us to the conclusion that both the plating systems were satisfactory and there is no statistically significant difference when used for open reduction and fixation in mandibular fractures. Healing was satisfactory in both groups.