Internally Peer Reviewed After conservative debridement of bone fragments has been completed, any remaining exposed bone must be covered by soft tissue. A mandibular stump can be covered by suturing mucous membrane to the skin edge. If the oral cavity has not been excluded by watertight closure, the fracture site must be drained to the exterior for 2 - 5 days. Only teeth which are completely loose or fractured teeth with exposed pulp should be removed. Firmly embedded teeth are left in situ, even if they are near fracture lines.
Damaged teeth are useful for immobilization of fractures.
Residual molar teeth in otherwise edentulous jaws are especially valuable for fixation. Although dead, carious, or loose teeth may cause infection, they should not be disturbed at this time. Immobilization of the jaws is necessary for accurate reestablishment of occlusion as well as early union of fractures. It also facilitates the healing of soft-tissue wounds, limits the spread of infection, and prevents deformity. Fixation is then achieved either with intermaxillary wires or elastics or both.