Oral and maxillofacial surgery: fixation of mandibular fractures: practice question

A Dentistry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Dentistry · Oral and maxillofacial surgery: fixation of mandibular fractures

Sample item

A patient has a displaced mandibular angle fracture with malocclusion. Which method best restores occlusion and stable healing?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Open reduction with miniplate fixation and occlusion confirmed by intermaxillary fixation

Displaced mandibular fractures are reduced anatomically, with the teeth placed in occlusion, and fixed with miniplates or lag screws. Intermaxillary fixation holds the occlusion during fixation or alone for minimal displacement.

Option by option

  • A. Open reduction with miniplate fixation and occlusion confirmed by intermaxillary fixation (correct)

    Correct. Reduction with rigid fixation re-establishes occlusion.

  • B. Soft diet with no reduction

    Soft diet alone leaves a displaced malocclusion.

  • C. Skull traction

    Skull traction is for cervical spine injuries.

  • D. Cervical collar only

    A collar does not treat jaw fractures.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is A, Open reduction with miniplate fixation and occlusion confirmed by intermaxillary fixation. Displaced mandibular fractures are reduced anatomically, with the teeth placed in occlusion, and fixed with miniplates or lag screws.

Why is "Soft diet with no reduction" not the answer?

Soft diet alone leaves a displaced malocclusion.

Why is "Skull traction" not the answer?

Skull traction is for cervical spine injuries.

Why is "Cervical collar only" not the answer?

A collar does not treat jaw fractures.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral and maxillofacial surgery: fixation of mandibular fractures in Dentistry. Intermaxillary fixation holds the occlusion during fixation or alone for minimal displacement.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Oral and maxillofacial surgery: fixation of mandibular fractures?

Learn the dental formula, eruption ages and tooth structure once, as tables. Then use the flashcards and the other Dentistry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.