Comparative evaluation of self-tapping and self-drilling screws in mandibular inter-foraminal fractures: A randomized controlled clinical trial

• Author Details:   
• Prajwal K Bharadwaj ^*
• Vineeth K Kumar
• Kavitha Prasad

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Background: Over the past century, there have been several stages of development in the management of maxillofacial fractures. The various screws' designs should also be taken into account in order to accomplish this.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of Self-tapping and self-drilling screws in mandibular inter-foraminal fractures.

Materials and Methods: Using a convenience sample technique, patients were divided into two groups of ten each. Self-tapping screws were used to treat the patients in Group A. Screws that self-drill were used to treat the patients in Group B.

Results: By the end of the first week following surgery, seven patients in group A had stable occlusion, while three patients experienced mild occlusion abnormalities. Following surgery, all ten patients who received self-drilling screws had 100% stable occlusion. he end of the first month, we observed more stability in group B, and no patient displayed splaying of fractured fragments, resulting in 100% stability of fractured fragments in patients who received self-drilling screws for plate fixation.

Conclusion: The current experimental clinical study's findings show that self-drilling screws, which require less operating time and armamentarium, have better mechanical qualities than self-tapping screws for fixing fractures. But in the dense anterior mandibular bone, the technique-sensitive self-drilling screw needs more driving force.

Keywords: Intermaxillary fixation, Self-tapping screws, Self-drilling screws, Drill-free screws, Mandibular inter-foraminal fractures.