Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 23, 2026
05:54
Real-Time Dynamic Navigation System for the Precise Quad-Zygomatic Implant Placement in a Patient with a Severely Atrophic Maxilla
Published on: October 18, 2021
2.4K
Severe tooth loss after root damage caused by predrilled intermaxillary fixation screw: a case report
Stefan Hartwig1, Christian Doll2, Jan Oliver Voss2
1Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Berlin, Germany. stefan.hartwig@charite.de.
Summary
Intermaxillary fixation (IMF) screws can cause dental damage. A case report highlights delayed osteomyelitis and tooth loss due to undetected root damage from IMF, stressing careful screw placement and follow-up.
Area of Science:
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Dental Traumatology
Background:
- Intermaxillary fixation (IMF) using screws is standard for mandibular fracture treatment and occlusion management.
- Iatrogenic dental damage, including pulp sensibility loss and root fracture, is a known risk of IMF screw placement.
Observation:
- A young male patient with temporary IMF treatment developed root damage.
- The patient missed follow-up appointments and presented 5 years later with purulent osteomyelitis affecting adjacent teeth.
Findings:
- The untreated root damage from IMF screws led to severe local osteomyelitis.
- Surgical intervention including osteotomy and extraction of three teeth was required for rehabilitation.
Implications:
- This case underscores the critical need for meticulous predrilled IMF screw placement to minimize iatrogenic dental injury.
- Regular patient follow-up is essential, especially when root damage is identified, to prevent long-term complications like osteomyelitis.
