Management of minimally displaced mandibular fracture with customized open cap splint in an 11-year child: A case report

Abstract

Mandibular fractures are the most common type of facial skeletal injury in children. In descending order, the most common is the condylar region then angle, and thirdly body fractures. Most of the fractures are greenstick type in children, because of the presence of permanent tooth buds which hold the fractured mandibular fragments like glue. Hence, conservative management is preferred and the fractures heal well and rapidly in children. The condylar neck in children being short and thick helps to resist the fracture, making most of them the nondisplaced type of fractures. The purpose of this case report is to present a conservative and effective treatment technique for pediatric mandibular fractures using a customized acrylic cap splint. This method has many advantages like simplicity of design, ease of fabrication, and reliability. This method takes care of anatomical, physiological, and psychological aspects as well as the complexity of developing jaws in children. Keywords: Children; Closed Fracture Reduction; Mandibular Fracture; Splint

Modified Cap Splint: A Novel Approach to Treating Delayed Mandibular Fracture in Pediatric Patients

“…Intermaxillary fixation (IMF) restricts dietary intake which leads to weight loss and it is also associated with soft tissue and periodontal injury. 6 Prolonged IMF is not advisable in children because of the risk of TMJ ankylosis. Acrylic cap splints are a well-founded alternative to open reduction or IMF techniques as it is less time-consuming, cost-effective, provide better stability during the healing period, are less traumatic to the adjacent structures, easy to place and remove, and also comfortable for the pediatric age-group.…”