Şirin S. Y., Yıldırımtürk S., Can Ü.
Essentials of Dentistry, vol.5, pp.1-8, 2026 (TRDizin)
Abstract
Background: This study aimed to evaluate the influence of chemically induced reduction in bone mineral density (BMD) on the biomechanical stability of monocortical miniplate fixation in sheep mandibular angle fractures (MAFs).Methods: Forty fresh sheep hemi-mandibles (N=40) were scanned using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) to determine baseline BMD. Twenty specimens were immersed in 5% acetic acid for 5-7 days to induce low BMD, while the remaining served as controls. Posttreatment DEXA scans confirmed an average 20% reduction in BMD in the low-density (LD) group; all specimens were then subjected to mechanical testing. Standardized unilateral angle fractures were fixed with 2.0-mm titanium plates and four 5-mm monocortical screws. Within each BMD category (n=20), half (n=10) were stabilized with a single superior plate (normal-density single-plate [NDs], low-density single-plate [LDs]) and half with double plates in a monoplanar configuration (normal-density double-plate [NDd], low-density double-plate[LDd]). Specimens were mounted on a custom-designed holder and vertically loaded up to 120 N in 10 N increments using a universal testing machine. Displacement at each load increment and the force magnitudes required to produce 1-mm, 3-mm, and 5-mm displacements were recorded and statistically analyzed.Results: Up to 30 N of loading, all groups showed similar displacement. Between 30 N and 120 N, displacement was significantly greater in the LDs group than in the NDs group (P < .05). Both single-plate groups (LDs and NDs) demonstrated significantly higher displacement values than the double-plate groups (LDd and NDd) within the same loading range (P < .05). The load magnitudes required to achieve 1 mm and 3 mm displacements were also significantly lower in the LDs group than in the NDs group, and both single-plate groups required lower loads than theirdouble-plate counterparts (P < .05).Conclusion: Single-plate fixation may provide limited stability in MAFs with low BMD, suggesting that additional support could enhance construct stability.Cite this article as: Şirin Y, Yıldırımtürk S, Can Ü. Influence of bone mineral density reduction on the biomechanical stability of miniplate fixation in sheep mandibular angle fractures. Essent Dent. 2026, 5, 0145, doi:140.10.5152/EssentDent.2026.25145.