الفهرس 
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Abstract
This study was conducted to compare the bite force recovery in the unilateral and the bilateral mandibular fracture patients following treatment with miniplate osteosynthesis.
In this study 20 male patients have mandibular body or angle fractures were selected. Their age ranged from 17 to 48 years with a mean age 28.65±3.99 years. All patients had adequate amount of dentition, no history of temporomandibular disorders and no dentofacial deformities. Patients with condylar fractures or comminuted fractures were excluded.
Evaluation of the site distribution of fractures revealed that in group I there is nine patients (90%) had mandibular body fractures, 1patient (10%) had angle fractures and in group II patients (100 %) had angle or body fractures combined with a contralateral body, angle or parasymphyseal fracture.
Road traffic accidents were the main cause of mandibular fractures comprised 14patients (70%) followed by interpersonal violence which comprised 6 patients (30%).
The patients were equally divided into 2 groups according to the site of fracture, thus each group was comprised of 10 patients. Patients in the bothgroups I and II were treated by open reduction and miniplate fixation without intermaxillary fixation.
The fracture healing was assessed on the basis of clinical and radiographic evaluation up to 3 months postoperatively.
The bite force was measured using Pressure Indicating Film. In both groups Ι and II, the bite force measurement was conducted following surgical operation weekly for 6 weeks and at 3 months. The bite force values was calculated and averaged at the anterior region, the premolar region (right & left) and the molar region (right & left).
Clinical evaluation of the treatment outcome showed that all patients resumed their normal function by the end of the follow up period with noinfection or malunion. Radiographs showed proper alignment of the fractured segments and proper healing during the follow up period.
The bite force evaluations showed that the bite force in molars had higher bite force values than anterior teeth and premolars.
The bite force analysis in both groups showed the lowest values at the first week postoperatively and increased throughout the follow up period till it reached the highest values at the 12th week postoperatively. There was a statistically significant difference between the 2 groups at the anterior, right premolars and molars at all weeks, while in the left premolar & molar side showed in significant difference at first, second, third weeks and statistically significant difference between the 2 groups at fourth, fifth, sixth and twelfth weeks.
group I in the bite force showed linear increase till the fourth week postoperatively; by the fifth week the bite force showed a significant DROP and re-increased in the sixth week and twelfth week. While in group II, changes in the bite force showed linear increase till the fourth week postoperatively; by the fifth week the bite force showed a significant DROP which extended into sixth and re-increased in twelfth week. The percentage of change showed statistically significant difference between the two groups. The percentage of the increase in bite force showed the highest percentage of increase at the molar region.
In this study the bite force showed that the fracture site had a significant effect on the bite force values, where there is an inverse relationship was found between the bite force values and the number of fractures of the mandible .we also found lower bite forces and longer period for normalization in patients who had fractures in the those regions of the mandible which are more significantly associated with the masticatory apparatus.