Mandibular Fractures
Depending on thetype of injury and the direction and force of the trauma, fractures of the mandible commonly occur in several locations. One classification of fractures
Fractures of the mandible: a reviev« of 580 cases, J Oral Maxillofac Surg 40:23,
1982.)
A, C-eenstick; 8, simple; C, comminuted; and D, compound.
describes mandibular fractures by· anatomic location. Fractures are designated as occurring in the condylar, ramus, angle, body, symphyseal. alveolar, and rarely coronoid process areas. Fig. 24-]] llIustrates the location and frequency of different types of mandibular fractures.
displacement at fracture site caused by pull of masseter muscle. B, Favorable fracture in which direction
of fracture ‘and angulation of muscle pull resists displacement ..
Fractures of the mandible are referred to as favorable or unfavorable, depending on the angulation of the fracture and the force of the muscle pull proximal and distal to the fracture. In a favorable fracture, the fracture line and the muscle pull resist displacement of the fracture (Fig. 24-13). In an unfavorable fracture, the muscle pull results in displacement of the fractured segments.
