Comparative study of the treatment of mandibular fractures with vestibular and lingual wire splints.

One hundred forty-two patients with mandibular fractures were studied during the 3-year period of 1988 to 1990. One hundred ten patients treated with lingual arch wires comprised the study group and 32 treated with routine labia/buccal arch wires formed the control group. Bone healing was analyzed with clinical and sonic methods in both groups. It was estimated that the clinical and sonic evidence of the mandibular body fragments union appeared earlier and the infection rate was lower in the study group than in the control group. It was concluded that lingual wire splints are preferable for treating fractures of mandibular body, alveolar ridge, and in patients with deep overbite.