Assessment of Lingual Stability in Mandible Fracture: Monocortical Versus Bicortical Fixation Using FEM Analysis

Aim of the study The present study compares lingual stability of monocortical miniplate fixation with that of bicortical miniplate fixation in parasymphysis fracture using FEM analysis. Materials and methods Using multislice CT scanner, 3D FEM of patient's mandible was created. Fracture was simulated at parasymphysis region and fixed with 2-mm titanium miniplates and screws of length 8, 10, 12 mm, respectively. Loading force of 120 N applied at molar region and 62.8 N at incisor region. These three models were imported into ANSYS Workbench FEM software. Result There is no significant difference in results between bicortical fixation and monocortical fixation. Conclusion It was concluded that use of monocortical fixation provides sufficient lingual stability. This suggests monocortical fixation system is as reliable as bicortical fixation.