THE INFLUENCE OF THE METHOD OF TREATMENT ON THE REHABILITATION OF MOUTH OPENING IN FRACTURES OF THE LOWER THIRD OF THE FACE

Abstract

Background: Prolonged immobilization of the stomatognathic system as part of the conservative treatment of fractures of the facial skeleton can leave negative consequences on the tissues. For this reason, there is a tendency to favor surgical treatment, which significantly shortens the healing time and facilitates the rehabilitation of mouth opening. By analyzing the set of patients treated by us, we want to confirm the correctness of theories favoring treatment without rigid immobilization.
File: The file consisted of 80 patients with fractures of the sled. Group A included 46 patients treated with open reduction and osteosynthesis, and group B included 34 patients treated with rigid intermaxillary fixation.
Methods: In both groups, we evaluated the ability to abduct the sled by measuring the minimum interincisal distance. We also recorded the need and method of mouth opening rehabilitation.
Results: In group A, there was a complete adjustment of mouth opening within 14 days after the operation, chewing function was completely restored within 6 weeks. On the other hand, in group B, it was necessary to rehabilitate the opening of the mouth for another 2 weeks after the release of the rigid fixation, which considerably extended the treatment period.
Conclusion: Based on our findings, we can unequivocally state that patients treated with open reduction and osteosynthesis have an earlier return to a normal way of life. The selected rehabilitation methods are easy to perform even by the patients themselves and are well tolerated. On the contrary, with long-term intermaxillary fixation, many limitations of function and hygiene occur, which can reach the level of permanent consequences.