Abstract
Intermaxillary fixation utilizing teeth is widely used for mandibular fixation during bone graft. When teeth cannot be used as a fixed source, however, extraoral fixation is frequently employed with a variety of apparatus and fixation approach is subsequently devised. Extraoral fixation permits a firm fixation, but has some demerits that the patient's discomfort is considerably great because the apparatus protrudes beyond the face, often requiring a removal procedure.
In the present study, a resin splint was fixed to the jaw using circumzygomatic suspension and piriform fossa suspension for the maxilla and using circumferential wiring for the mandibula, followed by intermaxillary fixation using a hook attached to the individual resin splints. This approach was clinically applied to two cases and favorable results were obtained.
This method has the following advantages compared to the conventional extraoral fixation:
1) No special equipment is required.
2) Removal operation is not needed.
3) It gives less uncomfortable feeling during fixation.
4) The maintenance of proper occlusion is easily obtained, because the resin splint can be immediately utilized as a denture after completion of the fixation.
