A new look at maxillomandibular fixation of mandibular fractures.
Recognizing the inconvenience to patients of having their jaws immobilized for protracted periods of time, a study was undertaken to determine which, if any, mandibular fractures could be treated without maxillomandibular fixation. Forty-two percent of a series of fractures were successfully treated without maxillomandibular fixation, and criteria were established to determine which fractures could be treated so conservatively.
This study was focussed on the effects of changes in interocclusal clearance on the activity of oral muscles. Two types of occlusal splints were incorporated in 20 subjects without TMJ-syndrome. Their muscle reactions were recorded electromyographically in the masseter muscle. The results show 5 groups of muscle reaction correlated with the mean postural face height. The changed height of the postural position has a significant influence on the control pattern of the masticatory system.