A new look at maxillomandibular fixation of mandibular fractures

Recognizing the inconvenience to patients of having their jaws immobilized for protracted periods of time, a study was undertaken to determine which, if any, mandibular fractures could be treated without maxillomandibular fixation. Forty-two percent of a series of fractures were successfully treated without maxillomandibular fixation, and criteria were established to determine which fractures could be treated so conservatively.