Management of Pediatric Mandibular Fractures Using Orthodontic Archwires and Elastic Traction: An Alternative to Conventional Treatment Methods.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Maxillofacial trauma in children consists of >15% of all facial fractures, which is usually associated with sports injuries and falls while playing. Pediatric mandibular fractures are relatively less frequent when compared to adults, and the reason can be attributed to the child's protected anatomic features and infrequent exposure of children to alcohol-related road accidents. Management principles vary in children, and the main concern is about mandibular growth and the development of dentition. Treatment can be done by either closed reduction or open reduction and internal fixation. Case description A 5-year-old boy reported to the Department of Pediatric and preventive dentistry with the history of falling from a bike. The patient presented with bruise over chin, deviated mouth opening and deranged occlusion. OPG revealed right condylar fracture and left parasymphysis fracture. Treatment with closed reduction was favored over open reduction in order to decrease the risk of any undue trauma to developing tooth buds and to avoid any growth-related injury in children. Hence, a new approach was performed for closed reduction. The patient was kept on follow-up for a period 6 months. Discussion: Earlier treatment options in closed reduction were limited to intraoral cap splints, circummandibular wiring, eyelet wiring, and even bridle wiring. This case report highlights the use of orthodontic archwires and elastic traction in the management of pediatric mandibular fractures, which is something new to conventional treatment methods and can be used as an alternative method. How to cite this article Kakran A, Singhal R, Namdev R, et al. Management of Pediatric Mandibular Fractures Using Orthodontic Archwires and Elastic Traction An Alternative to Conventional Treatment Methods. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2023;16(6)864-867.