Management of atrophic mandible fractures.

Traumatic facial fractures that were once rarely encountered now present with increasing frequency in the elderly population. Included in this group of fractures are those of the atrophic edentulous mandible. As patients age and become edentulous, atrophy of the mandibular alveolar ridges and adjacent basal bone reduces bony surface area, bone density, and blood supply, making the mandible more brittle and increasing the likelihood of mandibular fracture during a traumatic event.

Perioperative treatment of the patient taking anticoagulation medication.

Various pharmacologic methods can be used to treat or prevent complications, such as deep venous thrombosis, or other sequelae related to a hypercoagulable state. Patients who take anticoagulation medications may be seen by oral and maxillofacial surgeons for evaluation and surgery in elective, urgent, and emergent situations. The purpose of this article is to familiarize readers with commonly encountered medications and recently published findings regarding their use by patients at risk of thromboembolic events.