Purpose: The purpose of this clinical study was to compare effectiveness of 2.0-mm locking miniplates and screws with 2.0-mm standard miniplates and screws in treating mandible fractures.
Patients and methods: A randomized prospective study comprising of 40 samples, where 20 patients (group 1) were treated with locking plates and 20 patients (group 2) were treated with standard miniplates. All the cases were evaluated for the type of fracture, need for the Intermaxillary Fixation (IMF) and its duration, duration of surgery, anatomic reduction, paresthesia / neurosensory changes, occlusal discrepancies, infection at the fracture site and any need for the removal of the plates and screws.
Results: In our study Road Traffic Accidents (RTA) accounted for the majority of patients 30 (70%). RTA was more prevalent (52.5%) in 21-30 age group, with assault being more common (67%) in 25-35 years. There was a significant difference between group 1 and 2 in postoperative occlusal discrepancy and need for IMF (p=0.008). There was no significant difference in complication rates between group 1 and group 2 patients.
Conclusion: Locking plate/screw system proved to be more rigid than conventional plate/ screw system, thereby reducing the need and duration of IMF. However there was no significant difference in complication rates.
Keywords: Locking miniplate; Mandible fractures.