A titanium arch bar for maxillomandibular fixation in oral and maxillofacial surgery.

s t s d stablishing correct occlusion is an essential step in he surgical treatment of facial fractures and in orthogathic surgery. The defined occlusion is stabilized by axillomandibular fixation (MMF), commonly using rch bars. The principle underlying the use of these ental appliances has not changed since they were ioneered by Sauer in Germany and Gilmer in the nited States. Bars are ligated to the teeth with meallic ligature wires. These arch bars have hook-like rojections on their outer aspect for the application f tie wires or elastic bands. Most arch bars are made of metal to provide good igidity. Materials used for the conventional round ars are stainless steel, aluminum-brass alloy, silver lloy, or cobalt chromium alloy. Although titanium s widely used today for osteosynthesis plates and crews, there have been, to our knowledge, no arch ars made of titanium. The main reason is that the rocess of manufacturing titanium is relatively comlicated and the resulting costs are high. However, ith the development of the laser cutting technique, he cost of manufacturing titanium, and making arch ars out of titanium has recently decreased considerbly, so that it is now comparable to the cost of anufacturing Schuchardt splints, which are among he most frequently used splints in Europe, and most ther arch bars of similar type.