Effect of teeth in the line of mandibular fractures on healing

The present study was undertaken to determine the effect of teeth in the line of mandibular fractures on healing, whether treatment of mandibular fractures could be simplified using teeth in fracture line and to evaluate prognosis of these teeth.

Twenty patients with teeth in the line of fracture were selected for the study. Teeth in fracture line were retained and fractured fragments were fixed using miniplates. Complications which affected the healing of fractures and compromised the final outcome of treatment were analyzed according to type, frequency and severity. Pulpal and periodontal prognosis of teeth in fracture line was determined.

In respect to simplification of treatment of mandibular fractures with the retention of teeth in the line of fracture, it was found that these teeth helped considerably in the reduction or realignment and stabilization of fractured fragments. Regarding the effect of these teeth in fracture on the healing of fracture it was observed that complications which adversely affected the fracture healing like infection, delayed union or non-union were less (20%) and insignificant in majority of the cases. The results of the present study indicate a good prognosis for the retained teeth in fracture line.

Conservation of the dentition as an adjunct to the surgical treatment of mandibular fractures can benefit many patients. Treatment can be simplified, complications are minimal and teeth can be preserved with good prognosis.