Retention of asymptomatic bone plates used for orthognathic surgery and facial fractures.

Over the past three decades there has been an improvement in biomaterials that has virtually replaced the use of stainless steel with titanium and its alloys. Based on the possibility of causing corrosion, toxicity, hypersensitivity, and stress protection, stainless steel should not be considered as a permanent implant in maxillofacial fixation. However, because of their superior corrosion resistance, noncarcinogenicity, hyposensitivity, nontoxicity, and excellent tissue compatibility, titanium and Ti-6Al-4V may be retained as permanent implants in maxillofacial fixation. The stress protection offered by such devices, and the possible complications associated with their removal, also support this concept. Finally, the costs incurred in removal do not justify the benefits derived.