Evaluation of Masticatory Forces in Patients Treated for Mandibular Fractures: A Case-Control Study

Purpose:​​​​​ This study aimed to evaluate the masticatory forces in patients treated for mandibular fractures. To assess the magnitude of damage to the masticatory system caused by the various mandibular fractures and the period required for their normalization. Materials and Methods: Data were recorded from the authentic and original bite force measurement device from 2015 to 2017. The sample was composed of 30 isolated mandible fractures patients, Group 1 consisting 15 patients with unilateral mandible fractures, Group 2 consisting 15 patients with bilateral mandible fractures, treated with ORIF (open reduction immobilization fixation) under general anesthesia, and Group 3 was a control group. Predictor variables were drawn from predefined intervals for three months (ninth POW) postoperative week. The condition of wound healing was checked, and masticatory forces are measured at the first, fourth, sixth, and ninth postoperative weeks and compared with a control group of the same age and gender. The outcome variables were the success rate and associated complications. Results: For the study, a total of 30 patients with 15 bilateral and 15 unilateral isolated mandibular fractures were included. The study result suggests that the patient had lower bite forces relative to the control group at all intervals. All patients showed a significant increase in the bite force values from the first to the fourth postoperative weeks (p = ‹0.001), which also increased significantly from the fourth to sixth postoperative weeks (p = ‹0.001), and from the sixth to the ninth week.  Conclusion: ​​​​ Based on the results obtained from our study, we conclude that there is a temporary adverse effect on masticatory forces. Fracture of the bilateral mandible has a stronger influence on bite force than unilateral mandible fracture. These fractures also take a longer time to normalize.