Abstract

Background: Le Fort I–II maxillary fractures are common midfacial injuries, predominantly caused by road traffic accidents. Delayed diagnosis/treatment may result in facial deformity, malocclusion, and functional impairment. Miniplate osteosynthesis is the current standard of care, providing stable fixation and enabling early jaw mobilization. Maximum bite force is an objective indicator of masticatory muscle strength and skeletal stability.

Methods: Prospective interventional clinical study of 32 patients with Le Fort–type midfacial fractures undergoing open reduction and internal fixation with titanium miniplates at the Odonto-Stomatology Center, Hue Central Hospital, from April 2024 to September 2025.

Results: Thirty-two patients (87.5% male), mean age 33.6 ± 9.7 years (range 19–52); road traffic accidents accounted for 93.8%. Fracture patterns: Le Fort I 78.1%, Le Fort II 12.5%, sagittal maxillary fracture 9.4%. Associated injuries: zygoma/zygomatic arch 81.3%, nasal bone 15.6%; concomitant traumatic brain injury 12.5%. MBF increased markedly: week 1 ~129.8 N (molar) and ~60.9 N (incisor); week 4 ~298.5 N and ~118.6 N (all p<0.001), approximating 60–70% of normative values. Occlusion rated “good” in 87.5% at week 1 and 93.8% at week 4; maximal mouth opening rose from ~28.5 mm to ~41.5 mm; pain on biting declined from ~28% to 0%; bilateral bite-force symmetry reached 90.6% at week 4.

Conclusions: Titanium miniplate osteosynthesis reliably restores occlusal stability and facilitates rapid bite-force recovery during the first postoperative month in Le Fort I–II fractures. Masticatory function (bite force and maximal mouth opening) improves substantially in parallel with bone healing, allowing patients to return to near-normal chewing early after surgery.