Traumatic Unilateral Temporomandibular Joint Dislocation Overlooked for More Than Two Decades

Abstract

Forward dislocation of the temporomandibular joint commonly can be easily diagnosed and successfully reduced by manual repositioning. In this report, we discuss a rare case of prolonged temporomandibular dislocation that had persisted for more than 20 years because the otolaryngologist and dentist had missed the dislocation. This patient underwent open reduction and mandibular joint plasty with preoperative orthodontic therapy. It is possible that strong pain and mouth-closing disability may gradually remit and only deviated mandibular prognathism like malocclusion may persist. Therefore, abnormal occlusion warrants careful attention to temporomandibular joint dislocation.

Evaluation of the mechanism and principles of management of temporomandibular joint dislocation. Systematic review of literature and a proposed new classification of temporomandibular joint dislocation

“…In cases due to trauma, fibrous and bony consolidation occur anterior to the articular eminence following the sustained pull of lateral pterygoid and head of condyle resulting in ankylosis and deranged occlusion [31,34,63]. …”

Achados audiológicos em pacientes portadores de disfunção temporomandibular

“…Research (26) pointed that the jaw condyle, when displaced, may cause the stretching of the ossicular chain, thus occurring otological symptoms. Another hypothesis would be the occurrence of chewing muscles hyperactivity, which would, in turn, lead to the contraction of the tympane tensor muscle as well as the tympanic membrane, or to the muscle contraction of the soft palate.…”

“…Another hypothesis would be the occurrence of chewing muscles hyperactivity, which would, in turn, lead to the contraction of the tympane tensor muscle as well as the tympanic membrane, or to the muscle contraction of the soft palate. This fact may cause the Eustachian tube dysfunction, and subsequently, symptoms of ear fullness, imbalance and hearing loss (10,19,26) .…”

Post-surgical unilateral temporomandibular joint dislocation treated by open reduction followed by orthodontic treatment

“…The management of prolonged dislocations is more difficult because of severe muscular spasm and periauricular fibrotic changes 3 . Cases of prolonged dislocation frequently require surgical methods such as open reduction, condylectomy, and several types of osteotomy 4,5 . This article reports a rare case of long-standing dislocation of the TMJ caused by contracture of the lateral pterygoid muscle following resection of a mucoepidermoid carcinoma that developed in the retromolar region.…”