ABSTRACT
The mandible is important in airway maintenance, speech, mastication and deglutition. Fractures and injuries to the associated muscles can, therefore, result in considerable dysfunction and pain. The muscles of mastication and the suprahyoid muscles are the principle movers of the mandible. The canine teeth have long roots and the mandibular third molar teeth are often partially erupted. The use of pre-operative antibiotics has proven effective in reducing post-operative complications following repair of mandibular fractures. A fracture involving the periodontium of an erupted tooth should be considered an open fracture, requiring the administration of systemic antibiotics at least until the fracture has been reduced and immobilized. Tetanus prophylaxis should be considered especially in unclean wounds. Mental parasthesia is both an important diagnostic sign and an important medico-legal observation prior to treatment. A sublingual haematoma is pathognomonic of a mandibular fracture and may also compromise the airway.
