Background: The surgical dictum of keeping patient under inter maxillary fixation after open reduction and internal fixation has been reported, no advantage over without inter maxillary fixation. This study attempts to identify and discuss requirement of inter maxillary fixation after open reduction and internal fixation in isolated mandibular fractures. Methodology: Total of 42 dentate, medically fit adult patients devided in to two groups irrespective of age and gender. Group I consisted of 24 patients kept under inter maxillary fixation after open reduction and internal fixation for 7 days postoperatively. 18 patients were allowed to do early mandibular mobilization alloted in group II. Occlusal discrepancies, surgical site infection, malunion/nonunion, plate/screw infection and removal recorded in both the groups and compared. Results: Statistical analysis showed group I patients had better outcome in-terms of occlusion and no other statistical difference noted between two groups. Conclusion: This study favors 7 days post operative inter maxillary fixation after open reduction and internal fixation for isolated mandibular fractures for the better occlusal outcome. 

Keywords: Mandibular Fracture; Intermaxillary Fixation; Open Reduction and Internal Fixation; Occlusion