Single Lower Border Plate Fixation in Anterior Mandibular Fractures

Repair of symphyseal and parasymphyseal mandibular fractures is traditionally performed with a lower border plate and either an upper border microplate or arch bars as a tension band. Complications of microplates include wound dehiscence, plate exposure, and tooth root injury. Issues with arch bars include increased operative time, a second procedure for removal, risk of TMJ ankylosis, and risk of injury to the operative team. We propose that one lower border plate is adequate for simple fractures of the anterior mandible and will serve to minimize complications.