Comparative evaluation of biting force in 2mm locking plates with 2mm miniplates in the treatment of mandible fractures: A clinical study

1. To compare efficacy of 2mm locking plates with 2mm miniplates in the fixation of mandible fractures and 2. To evaluate and compare the biomechanical function by measuring the bite force at 1st week, 3rd week, 6th week and 3rd month postoperatively in 20 patients divided equally into two study groups.A prospective randomized study was carried out at Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Meghna Institute of Dental Sciences, Nizamabad from 2019 to 2021 to treat consecutive mandibular fractures where patients were randomly divided into two groups each composed of 10 patients where Group A were treated with single 4 holed stainless-steel locking miniplates and Group B with two 4 holed stainless steel conventional mini plates both maintaining a gap of 2.0 mm system. Later assessment was done using bite force recording postoperatively at 1st week, 3rd week, 6th week and 3rd month and with the associated complications like Swelling, Infection, Paresthesia, Mobility between fracture fragments and Hardware failure.When the mean bite force values in right molar region of group A and group B were compared at 1st week, 3rd week, 6th week and 3rd month, there was statistically significant increase in bite force noted in group A when compared to group B at 1st week and 3rd week (P<0.05). But no statistically significant differences were observed at 6th week and 3rd month (P>0.05).When the mean bite force values in the central incisor region of group A and group B were compared at 1st week, 3rd week, 6th week and 3rd month, there was statistically significant increase in bite force noted in group A compared to group B at 1st week and 3rd week (P<0.05). But no statistically significant differences were observed at 6th week and 3rd month (P>0.05).When the mean bite force values in left molar region of group A and group B were compared at 1st week, 3rd week, 6th week and 3rd month, there was statistically significant increase in bite force noted in group A when compared group B at 3rd week (P<0.05). But no statistically significant differences were observed at 1st week, 6th week and 3rd month (P>0.05).The study signifies that both the fixation systems were able to provide stability to fracture segments, but locking plate system has provided better stability when compared to miniplates system, hence recommending for more elaborative studies to arrive at definitive conclusion.