Comparison of absorbable self-reinforced poly-L-lactide screws and metallic screws in the fixation of mandibular condyle osteotomies: an experimental study in sheep.

Nine osteotomies of the neck of the mandibular condylar process in sheep were fixed with self-reinforced poly-L-lactide screws and nine with metallic screws; two osteotomies were left unfixed. Radiographic examination was carried out at 3 weeks. The animals were killed at 6, 12, and 24 weeks. Malalignment was detected at 3 and 12 weeks in both unfixed condyles. The consolidation of the fixed osteotomies seemed to be faster in the polylactide group than in the metallic group. There were no complications in the healing of the fixed osteotomies.