Metal release from arch bars used in maxillofacial surgery. An in vitro study.

Surgical arch bars (splints) are used in maxillofacial surgery as an aid to intermaxillary fixation procedures. Two different types of stainless steel arch bars, a solid bar and a silver-brazed bar, were studied with regard to metal release in vitro. Arch bars were ligated to jaw models and immersed in 0.9% saline solution. The electrolyte was analyzed for Ni, Cr, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Cd by atomic absorption spectrophotometry on days 3, 10, and 28. The amounts of metal released from the brazed arch bar were 140-600 times higher than those released from the solid arch bar. Clinical implications are suggested.