Closure of oroantral fistula using titanium plate with transalveolar wiring.

BACKGROUND: Alloplastic materials such as tantalum, gold plates and foils, hydroxyapatite blocks have been used for closure of oroantral fistula (OAF). However, these materials are not widely accepted in routine surgical closure of OAF due to cost, difficult handling, increased rate of infection, and exfoliation.
PURPOSE: To overcome the above drawbacks this study aimed to use titanium plates (0.3 mm) with transalveolar wiring fixation for closure of OAF. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ten patients with OAFs who consented to undergo this trial were selected and treated under an outpatient basis in the Oral Surgery Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Mansoura University, Egypt.
RESULTS: All OAFs were successfully treated with no eventful complications.
CONCLUSION: This study concludes that titanium plates with transalveolar wiring fixation is an excellent technique for closure of OAF. The high success rate with this technique warrants its use for closure of OAF.