Management of minimally displaced mandibular fracture with customized open cap splint in an 11-year child: A case report

Abstract

Mandibular fractures are the most common type of facial skeletal injury in children. In descending order, the most common is the condylar region then angle, and thirdly body fractures. Most of the fractures are greenstick type in children, because of the presence of permanent tooth buds which hold the fractured mandibular fragments like glue. Hence, conservative management is preferred and the fractures heal well and rapidly in children. The condylar neck in children being short and thick helps to resist the fracture, making most of them the nondisplaced type of fractures. The purpose of this case report is to present a conservative and effective treatment technique for pediatric mandibular fractures using a customized acrylic cap splint. This method has many advantages like simplicity of design, ease of fabrication, and reliability. This method takes care of anatomical, physiological, and psychological aspects as well as the complexity of developing jaws in children.

Keywords

• children
• closed fracture reduction
• mandibular fracture
• splint