Comparison Between Conventional Titanium Miniplates and Indigenous Detachable Custom made 3D Titanium Plates (VAS 3D Bone Plate) for Fixation of Mandibular Fracture in Mental Foramen Region: A Randomized Clinical Trial and Finite Element Analysis.

Purpose: To overcome limitation of 3D plate for fracture fixation in mental foramen region, by designing an indigenous custom made detachable 3D titanium plate (VAS 3D bone plate) and comparing it with two miniplate fixations for fractures of aforementioned region. Methodology: Finite element analysis (FEA) of VAS plate and randomised clinical trial was performed and compared with miniplates. Twenty fractures in 19 patients with fracture in mental foramen region were divided randomly into two groups (Group I-fixation by miniplates and Group II with VAS plate) and evaluated for ease of fixation, neurosensory deficit, bite forces, occlusion and adequacy of fracture fixation.
Results: FEA of VAS plate revealed better performance for stress distribution, deformation and rigidity. A total of 20 mental foramen region fractures in 19 patients (18 male and 1 female) were treated. Group II had better results for bite forces and lingual control. Except for two patients with screw exposure in Group II and transient neurosensory deficit (resolved by 6 months), no other complications were observed. Ease of fixation was significantly better in miniplate group.
Conclusion: VAS plate was successful in providing satisfactory fixation and was observed to be better in terms of lingual control and masticatory efficiency. © The Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons of India 2020.