Conservative management of mandibular fracture with maxillomandibular fixation using orthodontic brackets and elastics: A case report

Abstract

Mandibular fracture is the most common facial skeletal injury in pediatric population seen in hospital setting. Fracture management is complicated by the developing permanent tooth buds and continuous mandibular growth. However, healing capacity in children is faster. Hence, conservative management is most often the treatment of choice for bone fractures in children. This case report is about a 6-year-old female child who sustained mandibular fracture after a road traffic accident (RTA) which was conservatively managed with maxillomandibular fixation using brackets and elastics. Orthodontic brackets were placed on facial aspect of posterior teeth of both the arches and elastics were used for traction leading to immobilization and stabilization of fracture. Healing was uneventful with complete bony union as evident by three months follow up orthopantomogram. Maxillomandibular fixation using brackets and elastics is a simple and non-invasive closed fracture reduction technique giving excellent result. The present case report showed successful outcome of mandibular fracture management.

Keywords

• closed fracture reduction
• maxillomandibular fixation
• mandibular fractures