Comparison of Fixation Stability of Resorbable Versus Titanium Plate and Screws in Mandibular Angle Fractures

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the fixation reliability and stability of titanium and resorbable plates and screws by simulating chewing forces. Materials and Methods: Mandibular angle fractures in 11 sheep hemimandibles were fixed with 4-hole straight titanium plates and 2.0 x 7-mm titanium screws; in addition, 11 hemimandibles were fixed with 4-hole straight resorbable plates and 2.5 x 6-mm resorbable screws according to the Champy technique. The hemimandibles were mounted with a fixation device in a servohydraulic testing unit for compressive testing. Displacement values under 20, 60, 100, 120, 150, and 200 N; maximum displacements; and maximum forces that the model could resist before breakage were recorded and compared. Results: Significant differences were found between resorbable and titanium plates and screws at all forces (20, 60, 100, 120, 150, and 200 N) (P < .05), We found no statistically significant differences in the breaking force and maximum displacement values (displacement values at the breaking forces) between the groups. Conclusions: The stability of mandibular angle fractures with titanium miniplates under simulated chewing forces was significantly higher than with the resorbable system. Metallic and resorbable fixation systems cannot be used interchangeably to treat mandibular angle fractures under similar loading conditions. (C) 2009 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons J Oral Maxillofac Surg 67:1644-1648, 2009