INTRODUCTION:Pediatric mandibular fracture is particularly challenging and its management is still controversial. The disadvantages of conventional metal plates such as stress shielding ,restricting bone growth, particularly in children, palpability, thermal sensitivity, and interference with diagnostic imaging, ,elicited the search for better options for fracture fixation. Therefore, polyether ether ketone (PEEK) has emerged as a promising alternative in the development of new osteosynthesis plates. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of customized computer assisted PEEK plates in the fixation of pediatric mandibular fractures in terms of clinical and radiographic assessment parameters. MATERIAL*S AND METHODS:The present study was conducted on seven children with recent displaced mandibular fractures indicated for open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). All children were treated using customized computer assisted PEEK plates. Patients were then followed up for three months. Each patient was assessed clinically in terms of the operative time and postoperative complications. Radiographic assessment was done with the aid of an immediately postoperative orthopantomogram and computed tomography (CT) after three months to assess the bone healing and evaluate the mean bone density along the fracture site. RESULTS: The overall postoperative complications were 14.3%. The mean operative time was (0:56 ±00:07). The mean bone density at the third month revealed a statistically significant (p<0.001) increase when compared to the preoperative mean bone density results. CONCLUSION: Customized computer assisted PEEK plates may be a better option for treating pediatric mandibular fractures as it offers reasonable operative time, precise reduction, less postoperative complications, and proper bone healing.

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