A retrospective evaluation of iatrogenic dental root damage with predrilled vs drill-free bone anchor screws for intermaxillary fixation

Abstract – Aims: The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate iatrogenic dental root damage, caused by two different techniques that utilized bone anchor screws, for intermaxillary fixation (IMF) in orofacial trauma. Materials and methods: The techniques used included either predrilled or drill‐free bone anchor screws. A total of 123 patients who required IMF were evaluated (97 men and 26 women). Sixty‐four patients were treated in the predrilled group, and 59 patients were treated in the drill‐free group. The data were collected over an 8‐year period and were analyzed using crosstabs and Fisher’s exact test. Results: Injuries to dental roots were found only in the predrilled group. Twenty‐nine patients (45.3%) were injured at the time of surgery. One year after surgery, 10 patients (15.6%) had permanently injured dental roots. There was a significant difference in injury rates between the predrilled and drill‐free groups 1 year after surgery (P < 0.001). Conclusion: There is an increased potential risk of iatrogenic injury and permanent damage to the dental roots when a technique that involves predrilled holes for bone anchor screws is used.