Maxillomandibular Fixation Screws VS Erich Arch Bar in the Management of Maxillofacial Trauma: A Comparative Study

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Published: 2026-03-30
DOI: https://doi.org/10.61919/69hh5954
Keywords:
Erich arch bar; intermaxillary fixation screws; maxillofacial fracture; maxillomandibular fixation; occlusion; oral hygiene.

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Fazal Dad
Associate Professor, Maxillofacial Surgery Department, Civil Hospital Quetta, Quetta, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Maxillomandibular fixation is important for establishing dental occlusion during management of maxillofacial fractures, although conventional Erich arch bars may require prolonged application and complicate oral hygiene. Objective: To compare self-tapping intermaxillary fixation screws with Erich arch bars for procedural time, oral hygiene, and occlusal outcomes in patients with maxillomandibular fractures. Methods: This randomized controlled trial included 128 patients treated at the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, Bolan Medical College, Quetta, from 22 January 2025 to 22 February 2026. Participants were allocated equally to IMF screws or Erich arch bars. Placement and removal times were compared using independent-samples t-tests, while oral-hygiene and occlusal outcomes were compared using chi-square tests. Results: Placement time was 17.67±4.14 versus 81.64±17.07 minutes, with a mean difference of −63.97 minutes (95% CI, −68.35 to −59.59; p<0.001). Removal time was 16.59±2.44 versus 28.94±3.80 minutes (difference −12.35 minutes; 95% CI, −13.47 to −11.23; p<0.001). At six weeks, good oral hygiene was observed in 81.3% versus 51.6%, while satisfactory occlusion was present in 84.4% versus 54.7% of participants treated with IMF screws and Erich arch bars, respectively (both p<0.001). Conclusion: IMF screws substantially reduced placement and removal times and produced more favorable later oral-hygiene and occlusal outcomes than Erich arch bars

Article Details

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 6 (2026)

Section

Articles
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

[1]
Fazal Dad 2026. Maxillomandibular Fixation Screws VS Erich Arch Bar in the Management of Maxillofacial Trauma: A Comparative Study. Journal of Health, Wellness and Community Research. 4, 6 (Mar. 2026), 1–9. DOI:https://doi.org/10.61919/69hh5954.

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