Temporomandibular joint reankylosis: A case report

Abstract

Ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) occurs when the base of the skull fuses with condyle to the mandible. This can cause deleterious effects on the growth and development of the jaws and teeth when occurred in childhood. Recurrence of TMJ ankylosis is a known complication. Studies have contributed to the various treatment options in recurrent ankylosis. The causes of reankylosis of TMJ are due to inadequate gap arthroplasty, insufficient interpositional material, adhesion, and elongation of the coronoid process. This case report is about a 6-year-old female child who is not able to open the mouth. The child was diagnosed with TMJ reankylosis. The treatment consisted of gap arthroplasty with dermis-fat graft along with bilateral coronoidectomy followed by vigorous physiotherapy. Later, full-mouth rehabilitation with speech and functional therapy and psychological counseling was done. Treating TMJ ankylosis is challenging as it has technical difficulties and a high incidence of recurrence. Hence, the treatment is always a multidisciplinary approach inclusive of an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, a pediatric dentist, and a psychologist and a physical therapist.