Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42458431›Full record

ArticleBMC oral health2026

Restoring premorbid occlusal relationship with 3D-printed occlusal splints in treatment of extensive comminuted mandibular fractures: an exploratory technical report.

Qing-Quan Dong, Hao-Ke Zhao, Kun Lv, Zhi Li

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Article in BMC oral health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Qing-Quan Dong *State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
Hao-Ke Zhao *State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
Kun LvState Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
Zhi LiState Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China. zhili@whu.edu.cn.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundExtensive comminuted mandible (ECM) fractures with dentition defects pose challenges for occlusal restoration. In selected severe cases with extensive comminution and compromised dentition, conventional MMF may be difficult to apply effectively. This study aimed to evaluate the applicability and outcomes of using three-dimensional (3D) printed occlusal splints for occlusal restoration in ECM fractures.

methodsThis retrospective, non-randomized cohort study with a small sample size was conducted involving 22 patients with ECM fractures. Twelve patients were treated with 3D-printed occlusal splints for occlusal restoration (Group A). The other 10 patients who received traditional maxillomandibular fixation (MMF) served as the control group (Group B). After confirming baseline comparability between groups, outcomes were quantitatively assessed using linear measurement deviation and 3D analysis, with fracture healing as the primary outcome measure.

resultsFracture healing was achieved in all patients. According to radiographic and clinical assessment (no validated occlusal index was used), all patients in Group A achieved the planned occlusal restoration. Compared to Group B, Group A demonstrated better reduction accuracy, reflected by significantly smaller deviations in both linear measurement deviation and 3D analysis (p < 0.05).

conclusionIn this small retrospective cohort, 3D-printed occlusal splints provide a technical solution for occlusal restoration in selected severe cases of ECM fractures. This technique represents a promising adjunct but requires further validation in larger prospective studies.

Indexed as

Fractures, ComminutedMandibular FracturesOcclusal SplintsPrinting, Three-DimensionalAdultAgedFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedRetrospective StudiesTreatment Outcome3D-printed occlusal splintExtensive comminuted mandibular fracturesPremorbid Occlusal RestorationVirtual surgical planning

Identifiers

PMID42458431
PMCPMC13651071

What OpenQuestion holds

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.