The conservative treatment of mandibular fracture in a child with circummandibular wiring: case report

Maxillofacial injuries are less common in children than in adolescents and adults. This lower incidence is a result of the relatively small size of mandible, the resilient nature of the bones, and a relatively protected environment, which distinguish the treatment principles of pediatric mandibular fractures from those of the adult. The bone of child is malleable, so pediatric fractures tend to be less displaced and rarely comminuted. Moreover, high regeneration potential of the wound allows more conservative treatment modalities for the pediatric mandibular fracture. High risk of damaging unerupted tooth bud renders many clinicians to resort to more conservative treatment modality for the reduction of displaced segments. This case report describes two successful treatment cases using the circummandibular wiring which was applicated to the fracture on parasymphysis of mandible. Circummandibular wiring can protect the tooth buds, and there is no need for intermaxillary fixation so that it prevents the possible complications of intermaxillary fixation such as the temporomandibular joint ankylosis and the facial growth disturbances. The acrylic splint was removed after 3 weeks, which showed clinically good union across the fracture line without complications. They showed complete clinical and radiological bone healing with an optimum occlusion.