Fracture mandible with edentulous jaw is best treated with -

• Condylar neck is the weakest part of the mandible and MC site of fracture • Mandible may fracture directly at the point of the blow • Indirectly where the force from the blow is transmitted and the mandible fractures at a point of weakness distant from the original blow, known as ‘guardsman’ fracture. • ‘Butterfly’ fracture of the mandible: A segment of mandible is detached from the rest of the mandible in the canine regions. Diagnosis • Recommended radiographic evaluation of a mandible fracture: Panoramic radiograph (Panorex) and Towne’s view x-ray. Treatment • As in midface fractures, restoration of dental occlusion forms the foundation for fracture management. • Intermaxillary fixation before fracture exposure and plating is necessary. • Condylar and subcondylar mandible fractures are most often treated by IMF alone. • Medical management of mandibular fractures involves a purée-type diet, interdental fixation for several weeks, 1% chlorhexidine mouth rinses, and antibiotics.