Repair of mandibular fractures using the 2.0 mm system. A review.

The mandible is a commonly injured facial bone with mandibular fractures occurring 3 times more frequently than those in the zygoma. Requirements for repair vary with the type of fracture, the location of the fracture, and the condition of the teeth and bone. Repair of the mandible is complicated by the complex range of function of the mandible. This article presents a brief, historical overview of techniques and systems that have been used for fracture stabilization. The authors report on the results of a study in which the 2.0 mm plate was used to repair 89 fractures. The use of 2.0 mm mandibular plates appears to provide adequate stability for patients with healthy bone and minimal comminution.