Use of Transgingival Lag Screw Osteosynthesis in the Management of Alveolar Process Fracture

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to check the efficacy of transgingival lag screw osteosynthesis in alveolar process fractures of maxilla and mandible. A single-arm nonrandomized observational study was performed for the treatment of alveolar process fractures of maxilla and mandible. In this study, 20 mixed age group patients with alveolar process fracture were included. All the patients were treated by a 2.0-mm transgingival screw fixation under local or general anesthesia. All the patients were evaluated for fracture stability, anatomical reduction, bone loss and bone resorption of alveolar process, tooth loss, and wound infection at 3 months of follow-up. A simple descriptive statistical analysis was done to evaluate the parameters and it was shown that the treatment of alveolar process fracture with two or three lag screws provides adequate fracture stability and anatomical reduction with no signs of bone loss and tooth loss, and wound infections were noted post lag screw fixation. The study concludes that transgingival lag screw fixation is a suitable alternative for alveolar process fractures in all the age groups and two to three lag screws are generally sufficient to fix fractured alveolar process either under local anesthesia or general anesthesia.