Comparison of stability of 2.0 mm standard and 2.0 mm locking miniplate/screws for the fixation of sagittal split ramus osteotomy on sheep mandibles.

Ten unembalmed adult sheep mandibles were used. The mandibles were sectioned in the midline, followed by sagittal split ramus osteotomies to obtain 20 hemimandibles. Each distal segment was advanced 5mm on each hemimandible. Ten of the specimens were fixed with 4-hole extended 2.0 mm titanium miniplates and screws and the other 10 were fixed with 4-hole extended 2.0 mm locking miniplates/screws. Each fixed specimen was mounted on a servo-hydraulic testing unit with the fixation device, and was tested to a range of forces of 0-140 N. The displacement values (mm) under 20, 60, 120, and 140 N were compared with the help of the Mann-Whitney U-test, and there were no significant differences between them at any force tested. Locking miniplate/screws and standard miniplate/screws showed similar displacement values at the range of forces tested.