[Case of temporomandibular joint ankylosis in childhood. Treatment and follow-up for 12 years].

Abstract

An ankylosis of temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which may be defined as the disease with the limitation of the movement of TMJ resulted from inflammations or traumas followed by fibrosis or ossification, could lead to the disturbance of mandibular development in childhood. In this report, we have experienced a case of unilateral TMJ ankylosis suspected to be caused by forceps delivery in 7-years old boy. The patient called on our hospital suffering from severe trismus and facial asymmetry. Following the conservative treatment, the operative relief of the ankylosis was performed with the procedure of the amputation of coronoid processus and condylar neck at the age of 14. Then orthodontic treatment was carried out to build a stabilized occlusion at 7 months after the operation. Five years follow-up observation elucidated that mandible developed normally without any recurrence. Judging from both clinical aspects and cephalometric analysis the result is very satisfying not only functionally but esthetically.