Bridging mandibular continuity defects with miniplates: an experimental study.

Various miniplate fixation techniques were studied in dogs to determine whether the use of miniplate fixation provides sufficient stability in mandibular continuity defects. Continuity resections measuring 15 mm were made on the mandibles of 16 dogs and were bridged using 4 miniplate fixation techniques, each replicated 4 times. All dogs were placed on a normal diet throughout the postoperative period. Clinical and radiological examinations were carried out 6 weeks later. We found that the group with both double miniplates and bicortical screws was stable, whereas the groups utilizing either a single miniplate or monocortical screws were not. The results of this study indicate that using a combination of double miniplates and bicortical screws to bridge defects after mandibular resection produces stable and predictable results.