Comparison of plate-screw systems used in mandibular fracture reduction: finite element analysis.

A finite element model of the human dentate mandible has been developed to provide a comparison of fixation systems used currently for fracture reduction. Volume domains for cortical bone, cancellous bone, and teeth were created and meshed in ANSYS 8.0 based on IGES curves created from computerized tomography data. A unilateral molar clench was loaded on the model with a fracture gap simulated along the symphysis. Results based on Von Mises stress in cortical and cancellous bone surrounding the screws, and on fracture surface spatial fixation, show some relative differences between different screw-plate systems, yet all were judged to be appropriate in their reduction potential.