Objective of the study: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of horizontally favorable and unfavorable mandibular fracture patterns on the fixation stability of titanium plates and screws by simulating chewing forces.

Materials and methods: Favorable and unfavorable mandibular fractures on 22 sheep hemimandibles were fixed with 4-hole straight titanium plates and 2.0 mm × 7 mm titanium screws according to the Champy technique. Hemimandibles were mounted with a fixation device in a servohydraulic testing unit for compressive testing. Displacement values under 20, 60, 100, 120, 150, 200 N, maximum displacements, and maximum forces the model could resist before breakage were recorded and compared.

Results: We found no statistically significant differences between the groups for the displacement values in the force range of 60–200 N (60, 100, 120, 150 and 200 N). Statistically significant differences for maximum displacement values (displacement values at the breaking forces) between the groups were found ( P < .05).

Conclusions: In the present study there was no evidence for the need to apply different treatment modalities in mandibular fractures regardless of whether the factures are favorable or not.

Conflict of interest: None declared.