Background: This study evaluated the efficacy of a 2.0–mm locking plate/screw system compared with a 2.0–mm non–locking plate/screw system in mandibular fractures.

Method: Patients were randomly assigned to receive 2.0–mm locking plates (group A) or 2.0–mm nonlocking plates (group B). Complications were analysed according to the type of plate used and the site of fracture. Fifteen fracture sites were treated with 2.0–mm locking plates and 15 with 2.0–mm nonlocking plates.

Results:  The number of patients requiring postoperative maxillomandibular fixation was  higher in group B because of occlusal deformities. None of patient of locking group have screw loosening as compared to 6.7% of screw loosening in nonlocking group. Complications occurred in the locking group with complication rates of 6% and  in the nonlocking group 13% respectively.

Conclusion: Although Locking plate/screw system offers some advantages over the conventional plating system in terms of that a precise adaptation is not required when using Locking miniplates, less operative time required,provides better initial stability than the conventional plate/screw system,less loosening of screws,low infection rate,less pain and swelling,less occlusal/osseous discrepancies with better postoperative radiographic reduction and lastly less wound dehiscence. But these results proved to be statistically non–significant.