Thirty-seven mandibular fractures were treated in 25 patients between January 1984 and January 1988. The patients' ages ranged from 4 months to 16 years (6.9 ± 4.6 years [mean ± standard deviation]). Nineteen of the patients were male and 6 were female, indicating a significant gender predilection (p<0.05). A treatment approach based on the patients' dental maturity and fracture location has evolved that stresses rapid restoration of osseous continuity and preoperative occlusion while striving to minimize risk to unerupted dentition.