No abstract

Ankylosis is the fusion of joint surfaces by bone or fibrous tissue. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis may cause difficulty in chewing, speech, oral hygiene maintenance, and esthetic disfigurement. This condition can be unilateral or bilateral, complete or incomplete. TMJ ankylosis may occur due to various factors, such as trauma, local and systemic inflammatory conditions, neoplasms, and TMJ infection. Trauma due to forceps delivery causing bilateral TMJ ankylosis is rare. We report a case with difficulty in mouth opening, eating, speech, oral hygiene maintenance, facial disfigurement as a result of bilateral TMJ ankylosis caused due to trauma by forceps delivery. This report implores upon preventing such disabling complications due to forceps delivery.

Fusion can be described as the complete or partial union between the dentin and enamel of two or more developing teeth. This union could be seen in the primary or permanent dentition or between a permanent tooth and a supernumerary tooth. Various theories have been put forward to explain the aetiology of fusion including that of increased force generated during growth, use of thalidomide or viral infection during pregnancy and a genetic aetiology. Fusion may cause aesthetic problems, occlusal disturbances, increased tendency for dental caries and periodontal disease. Developmental anomalies such as fusion are not observed frequently in clinical practice. Morphologic alterations of teeth can be observed as an incidental finding during thorough clinical examination. This case report discusses 2 such cases of fusion along with review of literature.