Reduction of Palatal Midline and Para-Midline Fractures Using Intra-arch Wire Fixation Versus Transmucosal Miniplate Stabilization: Prospective Randomized Clinical Study to Evaluate Postoperative Occlusion.

Purpose: The aim of the study is to compare the post reduction squealae of transmucosal miniplate fixation technique for stabilization of palatal fractures with intra-arch wiring technique.

Materials And Method: This study was prospectively undertaken on 16 patients, dividing them into two treatment arms based on random sampling methodology (Group A & B). For patients in Group A, intra-arch wire stabilization technique and in Group B trans-mucosal miniplate stabilization technique was used. The pre-operative and post-operative occlusion and time taken for stabilization in both the techniques was compared.

Results: The mean time taken for reduction and stabilization of palatal fracture in group A was 10.9 ± 2.21 min and in group B was 14.2 ± 1.13 min. Four out of eight study patients in group A required post reduction interception to stabilize occlusion postoperatively, whereas none of the patients in group B needed any post operative intervention.

Conclusion: The post operative occlusal stability was found better in study patients included in group B when compared to group A patients, although satisfactory post-operative occlusion was obtained even in group A with post-operative interception for occlusal stability.