Lingual Splint for Sagittal Fractures of Mandible; An Effective Adjunct to Contemporary Osteosynthesis: A Case Series with Review of Literature

Abstract

Sagittal fractures of the mandible frequently pose challenges in open reduction and internal fixation due to their unfavorable fracture pattern. The powerful lingual musculatures of the mandible exert tremendous displacing forces on the fracture fragments, resulting in gross lingual displacement. The control of the displaced lingual cortical plate and its restitution to the normal anatomical position before fixation is technically demanding. The article presents a simple and practically effective method of reducing such fractures with the use of a prefabricated lingual splint. The article also reviews the numerous types of lingual splints with their clinical indications.