Trauma
Mandibular Fracture
Most commonly fractured facial bone after nasal bones. Often multiple fractures due to arch geometry.
§ figuresFigures (2)
Fig. 1Fractured jaw
“Jaw Radiograph” · Rtstudents · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Fig. 2occlusal radiograph of a mandibular parasymphasis fracture
“Occlusal view symphsis fracture” · Coronation Dental Specialty Group [1] · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Verified open-access images only, reproduced for education under their stated licences · no AI-generated or illustrative artwork · Mandibular Fracture figures pending faculty review.
§ overviewOverview
Most commonly fractured facial bone after nasal bones. Often multiple fractures due to arch geometry.
§ epidemiologyEpidemiology
Young males, RTA and interpersonal violence.
§ clinicalClinical Features
- 01Malocclusion
- 02Step deformity, mobility, crepitus
- 03Sublingual haematoma (Coleman's sign)
- 04Numbness in mental nerve distribution
- 05Deviation of chin on opening (condylar #)
§ radiographicRadiographic Features
- 01OPG + PA mandible (basic)
- 02CBCT / CT — displacement and comminution
§ classificationClassification
- 01By site: condylar, subcondylar, angle, body, symphysis/parasymphysis, ramus, coronoid, alveolar
- 02By pattern: greenstick, simple, comminuted, compound
- 03Favourable vs unfavourable (muscle pull)
§ treatmentTreatment
- 01Closed reduction: MMF / IMF for minimally displaced, condylar, paediatric
- 02Open reduction & internal fixation (ORIF): displaced, unfavourable, condylar with malocclusion, edentulous
- 03AO/Champy's principles of osteosynthesis
§ complicationsComplications
- 01Malunion / non-union
- 02Infection
- 03IAN paraesthesia
- 04TMJ ankylosis (undertreated condylar #)
§ prognosisPrognosis
Excellent with anatomical reduction and stable fixation.
§ evidenceReferences & Evidence
Current Classification
WHO Classification of Tumours Online — Head and Neck
IARC / WHO · 2022
Continuously updated online edition of the WHO head and neck tumour classification.
Evidence summary
Highest level of evidence linked to this page: WHO / Official Classification.
- L1 · Classification — 1
- L3 · Systematic review — 1
- L6 · Textbook — 5
2 linked sources were published from 2024 onwards. Where guidance is limited or contested, rely on the higher-level sources above rather than this summary. Educational use only — not a substitute for clinical judgement.
Content last reviewed
September 2026
Evidence last reviewed
September 2026
Next scheduled review
September 2027
Review status
EVIDENCE REVIEWED
Search latest PubMed evidence
Last literature search: 7 September 2026
Current Classification
IARC / WHO. IARC · 2022
Continuously updated online edition of the WHO head and neck tumour classification.
Systematic Reviews & Meta-Analyses
Rashid S, Kumar RD, Kalimuddin KS. Journal of cranio-maxillo-facial surgery : official publication of the European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery · 2026 · 54(7):104560
Systematic review comparing closed treatment with open reduction and internal fixation for condylar head fractures.
Histopathology References
Barnes L. CRC Press · 2008
Detailed histopathological reference for head and neck diagnostic criteria.
Textbook References
Neville BW, Damm DD, Allen CM et al.. Elsevier · 2024
Standard reference textbook of oral and maxillofacial pathology used throughout this atlas.
Rajendran R, Sivapathasundharam B. Elsevier · 2020
Undergraduate and postgraduate oral pathology textbook widely used in BDS and FCPS curricula.
Hupp JR, Ellis E, Tucker MR. Elsevier · 2019
Core surgical textbook covering exodontia, infection, trauma and preprosthetic surgery.
Ehrenfeld M, Manson PN, Prein J. Thieme / AO Foundation · 2012
Reference standard for craniomaxillofacial trauma osteosynthesis principles and techniques.
Draft — pending faculty review. Educational use only; verify against current guidelines and primary sources before clinical application.