The use of bone wax for protection from sharp ends of interdental wires.

Sir,

Mechanical irritation interdental loop wiring and intermaxillary fixation causes inflammation of oral mucosa, marginal gingiva and lips is virtually unavoidable in maxillofacial surgery.[1] Filippi et al. compared different types of splints (composite wire splinting, button bracket splinting, resine splinting and titanium trauma splinting) by means of irritation on gingival mucosa and lips. In their experimental study, they found that more irritation was caused by buton bracket splints on lips and by resine splint on gingival mucosa.[2]

We thought of using bone wax in order to cover the protrusive components of wires [Figure 1]. In this way, we aimed to attenuate the mechanical irritation of intraoral mucosa and gingiva. Furthermore, it is obvious that this will also improve oral hygiene.

Figure 1

Covering protrusive components of wires and arch bar by bone-wax

Bone wax, which is made of softened beeswax, has been widely used for haemostasis in orthopaedic surgery, neurosurgery, cranio-facial surgery and cardiothorasic surgery.[34] Rarely bone wax causes side effects, some of which are inhibition of bone healing, increased infection rates and chronic inflammatory reactions.[45] These side effects are observed in the in vivo utilisation of bone wax. Besides, we did not encounter reports on the external use of bone wax, such as in covering the protrusive components of wires, in the literature.

Repetitous use of bone wax during splintig may be regarded as a drawback. On the other hand, it is a low-cost material that could be easily obtained and applied by the patients whenever necessary.

We recommend the use of bone wax as it is a practical and efficacious method to prevent mucosal injury from wires.