Background/aims: Fracture of the alveolar process is a common injury, but the traditional splinting fixation may not be possible in some cases. The aim of this study was to describe the osteosynthesis performed in segmental alveolar fractures by internal fixation and evaluate the prognosis of the fractures and teeth involved.
Materials and methods: Twenty-two patients who were identified as having segmental alveolar fractures treated with osteosynthesis by internal fixation at the authors' department from January 2007 to December 2016 were included with 90 traumatized teeth. The prognosis of the fractures and teeth involved in the fractures was evaluated by the post-operative computed tomography combined with a follow-up study.
Results: All patients achieved healing and consolidation of the alveolar fractures. Furthermore, the occlusion was restored and the wounds healed. During the surgical procedures, no observed iatrogenic dental damage caused by the interdental drilling was found. Eventually, only 15.6% of the teeth had pulp necrosis, whereas the other healing complications were rare or not observed in the study.
Conclusions: Osteosynthesis by internal fixation is an effective and safe treatment for some segmental alveolar fractures. The teeth involved in these fractures also have good prognosis.
Keywords: internal fixation; osteosynthesis; prognosis; segmental alveolar fracture; teeth.
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