What Is a Lag Screw?

A lag screw is a kind of fastener that’s used in woodworking. These screws (actually called bolts) have a threaded machine line, and they can be quickly installed in wood with the help of a power drill. Lag screws are longer and thicker than other kinds of fasteners, making them better suited for heavy projects that need to be held in place for a long period of time.

The lag screw manufacturing process is quite similar to that of standard hex-headed bolts. The raw steel is cut to the desired length, and then the threads are cut using special chasers. The threaded surface is then pointed to create a smooth, cylindrical surface that will hold the hex head. The point is then chamfered to reduce the risk of slippage.

The lag screw technique provides stable internal fixation of mandibular symphysis fractures and good compression. However, it is difficult to access the body region due to vital structures surrounding it. It can also be more challenging to use lag screws in angle fractures because the curvature of these areas makes it difficult to achieve adequate compression. Despite the limitations, the lag screw technique can provide a rigid fixation with minimal complications. In the symphysis, it is recommended to place two lag screws for optimal stability.