الفهرس 
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Abstract
miniplates fixation had become more Mopular and standard method in treatment of mandibular fractures. Locking plate\screw system had developed and provide additional properties in fracture healing and stable fixation. However, there is a lack of scientific evidence comparing locking plate system with conventional miniplate fixation. Purpose : This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of the locking plate/screw system in comparison to the conventional miniplate/ screw system in treatment of posterior mandibular fractures. Patients and Methods : A total of 14 patients, each having isolated posterior mandibular fracture, were selected and randomly divided into 2 equal groups, treated by open reduction and internal fixation. One group received conventional titanium miniplates and the other group received locking plates. Surgeries were done under local or general anesthesia, an incision was made intra or extra oral according to accessibility and situation of each case, and the plates were adapted and secured with screws according to the patients group with either conventional or locking system. All patients were followed up for 1 week, 1, 3 and 6 months postoperatively. ImageJ software was used for bone healing assessment by Gray level scale. All clinical and radiographic parameters that used for evaluation were subjected to statistical analysis. Results : Statistical analysis showed significant difference of working time between the two groups. All patients had excellent reduction, no hardware failure or malocclusion occurred. No statistically significant difference was found in rate of dehiscence, infection, parasthesia or occlussal discrepancy. Gray level scale for bone healing assessment shows no significant difference between both groups. Conclusion : locking plate system is an easy method for fixation of mandibular fractures, especially with displaced fractures, and gives the advantage of greater stability, less precision required in plate adaptation and early restoration of function with almost similar results seen in non locking miniplate osteosynthesis. However, the results obtained in the present study were not statistically significant between both groups when comparing postoperative complications between the conventional and the locking plate systems.