Mandibular fracture also known as fractures of the jaw

Jaw

The jaw is any opposable articulated structure at the entrance of the mouth, typically used for grasping and manipulating food. The term jaws is also broadly applied to the whole of the structures constituting the vault of the mouth and serving to open and close it and is part of the body plan of...

 are breaks though the mandibular bone. They usually occur due to trauma and are often associated with other facial trauma

Facial trauma

Facial trauma, also called maxillofacial trauma, is any physical trauma to the face. Facial trauma can involve soft tissue injuries such as burns, lacerations and bruises, or fractures of the facial bones such as nasal fractures and fractures of the jaw, as well as trauma such as eye injuries...

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The types of mandibular fractures include fractures at the symphyseal area, horizontal ramus, mandibular angle and condylar neck.

Signs and symtoms

Some of the clinical features include pain,swelling,bruising, sublingual heamatoma,trismus, mental aneasthesia, occlusal disharmony, 'step' palpable, condylar palpable in fossa, bleeding, and other infra oral features. Airway obstruction can occur due to haematoma formation or oedema, and bilateral fractures result in a higher risk.

Treatment

Initial management involves pain relief and assessment for possible airway problems. The jaw should not be bandaged as this may increase risk of obstruction - especially when bilateral fractures are present.
Subsequent medical treatment plan includes fixation(either via external wires or internal plates and screws), reduction and immobilization of bony pieces. it also requires prevention of infection.

The ideal osteosynthesis

Osteosynthesis

Osteosynthesis is the reduction and fixation of a bone fracture with implantable devices that are usually made of metal. It is a surgical procedure with an open or percutaneous approach to the fractured bone. Osteosynthesis aims to bring the fractured bone ends together and immobilize the fracture...

system of mandibular fractures must meet hardness and durability criteria to handle functional chargings and allow bone healing.