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Background <p>Closed reduction of condylar fractures requires a posterior bite raiser (hypomochlion) to facilitate distraction and condylar reseating. Conventional acrylic splints require laboratory fabrication, limiting their availability in emergency or resource-constrained settings.</p> Technique <p>Rubber caps from standard local anaesthesia bottles (diameter ~ 18&#xa0;mm, thickness ~ 9&#xa0;mm) were disinfected with 2% glutaraldehyde, ligated ipsilaterally around the first or second molars with 26-gauge stainless steel wire, and used as posterior bite raisers in conjunction with guiding elastics for intermaxillary fixation (IMF).</p> Results <p>In an adult patient with a displaced left subcondylar fracture, preoperative maximum interincisal opening (MIO) was less than 20&#xa0;mm. Following four weeks of IMF with the rubber cap hypomochlion, MIO improved to 36&#xa0;mm at one-year follow-up, with stable restoration of the pre-injury occlusion confirmed clinically and radiographically.</p> Conclusion <p>This technique offers an immediately available, low-cost alternative to laboratory-fabricated splints in select cases of minimally displaced condylar fractures, particularly in peripheral or emergency settings. Prospective studies with larger cohorts are required to validate reproducibility, safety, and long-term outcomes.</p>

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Rubber Caps as Bite Raisers for Closed Reduction of Condylar Fractures: A Technical Note

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月29日

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  • Ragavi Alagarsamy,
  • Sujata Mohanty,
  • S. Hemavathy

摘要

Background

Closed reduction of condylar fractures requires a posterior bite raiser (hypomochlion) to facilitate distraction and condylar reseating. Conventional acrylic splints require laboratory fabrication, limiting their availability in emergency or resource-constrained settings.

Technique

Rubber caps from standard local anaesthesia bottles (diameter ~ 18 mm, thickness ~ 9 mm) were disinfected with 2% glutaraldehyde, ligated ipsilaterally around the first or second molars with 26-gauge stainless steel wire, and used as posterior bite raisers in conjunction with guiding elastics for intermaxillary fixation (IMF).

Results

In an adult patient with a displaced left subcondylar fracture, preoperative maximum interincisal opening (MIO) was less than 20 mm. Following four weeks of IMF with the rubber cap hypomochlion, MIO improved to 36 mm at one-year follow-up, with stable restoration of the pre-injury occlusion confirmed clinically and radiographically.

Conclusion

This technique offers an immediately available, low-cost alternative to laboratory-fabricated splints in select cases of minimally displaced condylar fractures, particularly in peripheral or emergency settings. Prospective studies with larger cohorts are required to validate reproducibility, safety, and long-term outcomes.