Plate types
1. General considerations
A large variety of plates are available for application to the mandible. Types of plates include:
- Mandible plates 2.0
- Locking plates 2.0
- (Locking) reconstruction plates
- Dynamic compression plates
- Universal fracture plates
Plate names are commonly given together with a number (eg, locking plate 2.0) which indicates the diameter of screws to be used with the plate.
Note that there are different names internationally in use for the same plate. For example, with regard to the screw diameter, the number representing the screw diameter can either follow the plate name, eg, locking plate 2.0 or precede it, eg,2.0 locking plate. The latter is used throughout AO Surgery Reference.
2. Mandible plates 2.0
Mandible plates 2.0 are available in various shapes and lengths but can only be used with nonlocking screws.
3. Miniplates
The term “miniplate” is a generic term and refers to all plates used in CMF surgery with a plate thickness of 1.3 mm or less. Therefore, small and medium profile locking plates 2.0 and mandible plates 2.0 are considered miniplates.
Mandibular miniplates are designed to be used with monocortical screws. Bicortical screws maybe used for additional stability in some cases (with plate thickness being the limiting factor).
4. Locking plates 2.0
Locking plates 2.0 are available in a variety of plate thicknesses (referred to as profile). All locking plates 2.0 can hold either locking head screws or standard (nonlocking) screws.
Locking plates 2.0 available are:
- Small profile locking plate 2.0
- Medium profile locking plate 2.0
- Large profile locking plate 2.0
- Extra-large profile locking plate 2.0
Click here for further details on the locking plate principle.
These illustrations show typical medium profile locking plates 2.0.
5. Dynamic compression plates 2.4
This illustration shows dynamic compression plates 2.4.
Screws inserted bicortically are needed when using 2.4 plates
Click here for further details on the compression principle.
6. Universal fracture plate 2.4
This illustration shows a universal fracture plate 2.4.
They are designed to be used with bicortical screws.
Universal fracture plates offer more biomechanical stability than DCP 2.4 plates
7. Locking reconstruction plates 2.4
This illustration shows locking reconstruction plates 2.4 in various shapes.
Reconstruction plates are used for load bearing osteosynthesis of mandibular fractures
Click here for further details on load-bearing and load-sharing concepts.
