Management of symphysis fracture in a 3-year-old child with prefabricated acrylic splint and circum-mandibular wiring.

Pediatric mandibular fractures are often the sequelae of facial skeletal injuries in patients with trauma and frequently require hospitalization. Due to the retrusive mid-face position relative to the calvarial prominence, facial fractures are rare in children younger than 5 years of age. Although rare, they most often occur as a result of motor vehicle accidents. The purpose of this report is to describe the management of a mandibular symphysis fracture in a 3-year-old boy with displacement between the primary mandibular left central and lateral incisors. The fracture was reduced and the fractured segment was stabilized under general anesthesia with a prefabricated acrylic splint with circum-mandibular wiring. Children have greater osteogenic potential and faster healing rates than adults; therefore, anatomic reduction in children is best accomplished earlier.