Is it better to bend wires occlusally or apically during placement of arch bars for intermaxillary fixation?

We evaluated 78 patients who had intermaxillary fixation (IMF) of fractured mandibular condyles with arch bars and wires. Depending on whether the wires were bent apically or occlusally during placement of the arch bars, we randomly divided the patients into two groups (n=39 in each), then compared pain, satisfaction with oral hygiene, and complications between the groups at five to six weeks postoperatively when the arch bars were removed. Outcomes were significantly better in the occlusal group than in the apical group.