Page 47 - Open versus closed Mandibular condyle fractures

Management of post-traumatic malocclusion: an alternative treatment
After 6 weeks, the occlusal stops were removed and 2 weeks later, the brackets were also removed as the occlusal plane was nearly completely realigned. Physiotherapy was started, and 19 weeks after the initial trauma, the patient’s occlusion was corrected.
CASE 4
A 29-year-old male patient (figures 1 - 4) presented with a minor dislocated fracture of the left mandibular condyle and premature contact at the left side. Closed therapy was initiated and brackets were placed to facilitate the use of guiding elastics. The brackets were removed after 8 weeks and 2 weeks later the patient had developed a lateral open bite on the right side. Occlusal stops were placed and the patient was referred to a physiotherapist.
Four weeks later, the occlusal stops were removed and the patient continued treatment with guided closure with the physiotherapist. At follow-up one year after the trauma, the occlusion was completely restored.
Figure 1. Case 4, malocclusion 8 weeks after trauma.
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