Bone Status at Mandibular Condylar Fracture Osteosynthesis Plate after Healing Period

Objectives: Against common belief, mandibular condyle fractures are not that rare, with morbidity rates ranging from 19 to 52%, depending on actual literature sources. Practitioners try to improve the surgical techniques applied to obtain the most satisfactory anatomical and functional effect. The purpose of this study is to identify the relationships that af-fect bone loss around screws and plates in mandibular condylar process fractures treated surgically using the Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF) technique. Materials and Methods Our research covered 276 fractures of the base, low and high neck of the condylar pro-cess. Based on CT scans, we studied various parameters, including bone healing in the fracture area, bone loss in the screws and plates area, change in the length of the man-dibular ramus following osteosynthesis and on the opposite side after 12 months, as well as deformities of the mandibular head. Results Using screws and plates is the gold standard for treating mandibular condylar process fractures. The number of screws used affects the bone loss ratio around head of the screw. Another factor that impacts the results achieved is the distance from the plate edge to the lateral pole of the mandibular head. Statistical evaluation indicated that proximity to the lateral pole is a risk factor for bone resorption at the plate edge. Conclusion Based on the collected data, it is possible to predict bone loss, determine the location and selection of plates and screws, as well as to plan the procedure, achieving the low-est possible loss rates.