Clinical and Therapeutic Aspects of Temporomandibular Ankylosis at the Conakry Teaching Hospital

Introduction: Temporomandibular joint ankylosis (TMJA) is a fusion of joint surfaces by fibrous or bone tissue and the resulting limitation of mouth opening. The objectives of this study were to determine the frequency of TMJA, describe the clinical aspects and assess management. Materials and Method: It was a retrospective study that was carried out in the Department of Odontostomatology and Maxillofacial Surgery of Donka National Hospital for a period of 5 years (January 2016 to December 2020). Included were all records of inpatients and managed cases of TMJA during the study period. Sociodemographic, clinical and therapeutic variables were analyzed. Results: During the study 13 TMJA cases were collected with the frequency of 0.47%. The age group 1 9 was the most affected (61.54%) with extremes of 4 and 28 years. Men were the most concerned (53.87%). Restriction of mouth opening was the main reason for consultation (69.23%). The etiologies of ankylosis were dominated by infection including cellulitis of dental origin (53.85%) followed by facial trauma (30.77%). Arthroplasty was the most commonly used technique (73%), two cases of recurrence were noted (15.38%). Conclusion: TMJA affects mainly children and the etiology is dominated by cellulite of dental origin hence the interest of sensitization of the population for early management of oral diseases.