Objective: To compare between double straight miniplates, double inverted L- shaped miniplates ,and three dimensional ( 3 D) rectangular miniplate in fixation of anterior mandibular (symphyseal / parasymphyseal area) fractures .
Patients and methods: Thirty adult patients with anterior mandibular fractures were included in this study. The patients were divided randomly into three equal groups, group I was treated by superior and inferior straight miniplate while group II was treated by double L- shaped miniplates fixation technique and group III was treated by 3D rectangular miniplate. Postoperative clinical, radiographic evaluation and quantitative measurements were performed.
Results: Wound healing was optimal in all cases except two cases in group I and one case in group II. Satisfactory occlusion was obtained in all cases except three cases in group I where it had mild to moderate occlusal derangement. Other parameters including maximal mouth opening, sensory nerve function, and patient's tolerance to the plate were comparable. There were the similarity between the density changes for the three groups as there was highly significant difference in G(I) compared to G(II) at six months, and G(I) compared to G(III) at three and six months also between G (II) compared to G(III) at six months. .
Conclusion: Both double L-shaped miniplates and 3D rectangular miniplate provided enough stability for proper bone healing, establishment of optimal occlusion and early return to normal function more than with double straight miniplates. Additionally, there is superiority of 3 D rectangular miniplate over double inverted L- shaped miniplates in these parameters.