Mandibular Trauma

Mandible fractures are the second most common facial fracture after fractures of the nose. The treatment of mandibular fractures has evolved greatly over time but has been constantly guided by the principles of immobilization and repositioning. The early Egyptians relied on closed reduction through the use of bandages. Hippocrates, and his successors, up to the eighteenth century mainly immobilized fractures by tying teeth together with threads and using bandages. Salicetti introduced the concept of maxillomandibular fixation (MMF) in 1492, and it has remained in use since that time. In the early twentieth century, a variety of techniques became popularized such as the use of splints, bone sutures, and intraosseous wiring. During the late twentieth century, rigid internal fixation via plates and screws was developed, as well as different techniques for MMF. Significant advancement in biomaterials, imaging, and pharmacotherapy revolutionized our approach to treating mandible fractures and have allowed for improvement in patient outcomes and a decrease in morbidity.