Transoral plating of mandibular angle fractures: a technique.

A technique has been presented for transcutaneous management of angle fractures with employment of two plates: one at the tension band, the second at the compression zone of the mandible. Our preliminary experience with this procedure has been favorable. When a comparison is made of an intraoral approach to an extraoral one, there are three advantages. First, the cutaneous scar is minimal when compared with a transcutaneous one. Second, visualization of the occlusion is maintained throughout the procedure. Third, injury to branches of the facial nerve and other anatomic structures is reduced.