Maxillomandibular fixation device

Abstract

A maxillomandibular fixation apparatus for locking teeth of the lower jaw and/or teeth of the upper jaw together to allow a fractured maxilla or mandible to heal. The apparatus includes a flexible arcuate arch bar that is positionable on the interior side of the teeth of a fractured jaw. A plurality of flexible receptacle segments are anchored onto the interior arch bar and include arms positioned to project from the arch bar between the teeth of the upper or lower jaws. Each segment arm includes a distal end that extends outward from each side of respective teeth towards the patient's cheeks. A separate exterior receiving bar can be aligned around the exterior surfaces of the teeth, the exterior receiving bar having holes therethrough for insertion of the distal ends of the segment arms. A plurality of lug nuts can be fastenable to the distal ends, clamping the exterior receiving bar against the exterior side of the teeth, and drawing tight the interior arch bar against the inside of the teeth. During wear, the lug nuts can be adjusted to change the distance between exterior and interior arch bars. The exterior lug nuts form an junction exterior to the teeth onto which ligature wire or elastic bands can be connected between upper and lower exterior receiving bars attached to upper and lower interior arch bars, to fixate the mandible and maxilla teeth and jaws together for healing.