Occlusal instability results in an increased rate of complications following treatment of mandibular fractures

Purpose It is important to understand the factors that may increase the incidence of complications following mandibular fracture (MF) treatment. The objective of this study was to investigate if occlusal stability influences the occurrence of postoperative complications in MF treated with internal rigid fixation. Patients and Methods This was a prospective cohort study of patients treated for MF by osteosynthesis with plates and screws. The primary predictor variable was the Stability Occlusal (Yes or No). Occlusion was scored as stable (Yes, Group 1) if the patients had all their teeth and no free-ends in either dental arch. Occlusion was coded as unstable (No, Group 2) if the patients were partially edentulous with free-ends in either dental arch or had edentulism involving more than six dental elements. The primary outcome variable was postoperative complication (yes/no). Secondary outcome variables were osteosynthesis system (2.0 or 2.4-mm), local, age and gender. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square statistical test at 5% significance. Results Of 115 patients with 121 MFs, 73 (63.48%) had stable occlusion (G1), and 42 (36.52%) had unstable occlusion (G2). Mean age was 34.11 years and 71.3% were men. The postoperative complications rate was 8.70%, 10 patients. Three patients with complications were in G1 and seven in G2, 2.6 and 6.1%, respectively (p = 0.021, p Conclusion The results of this study suggest unstable occlusal could increase the rate of postoperative complications in MF treated with plates and screws. Future studies should be conducted to include occlusal stability as variable.