Assessment of the Biomechanical Performance of 5 Plating Techniques in Fixation of Mandibular Subcondylar Fracture Using Finite Element Analysis

Purpose The aim of this study was to compare the performances of 5 plating techniques for fixation of unilateral mandibular subcondylar fracture. Materials and Methods Five titanium plating techniques for fixation of condylar fracture were analyzed using the finite element method. The modeled techniques were 1) 1 straight plate, 2) 2 parallel straight plates, 3) 2 angulated straight plates, 4) 1 trapezoidal plate, and 5) 1 square plate. Three-dimensional models were generated using patient-specific geometry for the mandible obtained from a computerized tomographic image of a healthy living man. Plates were designed and combined with the mandible and analyzed under a 500-N load. Results The single straight plate presented the most inferior performance; it presented maximum displacement and strain on cortical bone. The trapezoidal plate induced the least amount of strain on cortical bone and was best at resisting displacement. Conclusion The trapezoidal plate is recommended for fixation of subcondylar fracture.