Palate Fracture Repair With Light-Cured Resin Splint: Technical Note

Palate fractures are rare, and their treatment is a matter of debate. Although some investigators have favored rigid plate fixation, others have reported successful treatment without it. Sagittal split and comminuted fractures can require rigid fixation to reduce the maxillary width; however, additional stabilization is needed. Also, palate repair without a splint is complicated by prolonged intermaxillary fixation (IMF), causing stiffness to the temporomandibular joint. We introduce a technique using a rapid light-cured resin (TRIAD TranSheet) frequently used by orthodontists for making dental retainers. Its use is similar to the splints traditionally created preoperatively, but obviates the need for making impressions, a model, and a molded splint. A series of 13 patients treated with this technique during a 5-year period is presented. The average duration of IMF was 4.7 weeks (range 3 to 6). The average duration of the palate splint was 8.4 weeks (range 5 to 12). One patient had malocclusion, but none had malunion, infection, or oronasal fistula. Our series has demonstrated a simple, cost-effective, and successful technique. It can be used alone or combined with rigid fixation and allows for a shortened duration of maxillomandibular fixation.