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Canine area fractures

follow the bone weakened by the long canine

tooth.

Bilateral fractures

may cause posterior displacement of the tongue

and airway compromise. They may also involve the contralateral

condyle fractures in up to 37 percent of the cases.

Children often have a

greenstick fracture

of the mandibular cortex.

E. Fractures of the Ramus

The ramus is the vertical portion of the mandible above the horizontal

plane of the alveolar ridge, ending at the sigmoid notch. Fractures in the

ramus are rare. They can be vertical, but are more often horizontal.

F. Fractures of the Coronoid

The coronoid process is anterior-superior to the ramus. It serves as the

attachment of the temporalis muscle. Coronoid fractures are rare and

usually do not require treatment, unless they are involved in an

impingement from a zygomatic fracture.

G. Alveolar (Dentoalveolar) Fractures

The alveolar bone houses the dentition. This bone atrophies in the

absence of teeth. Dentoalveolar fractures are common, but isolated

alveolar fractures are rare. Dental luxation and alveolar segments may

be fixated in the MMF, by separate ligatures, or by wire composite

splinting, as seen in Figure 5.5.

Figures 5.5

Left, mandibular incisors region dental alveolar fracture held in place with wire-composite

splint between canine teeth and MMF. Right, post-treatment photograph of intact

dentition and bite, with retained lower incisors following dentoalveolar fracture.