Page 51 - Open versus closed Mandibular condyle fractures

Management of post-traumatic malocclusion: an alternative treatment
Table 2. Mean difference between pre-treatment and post-treatment for individual molars and premolars. Measurements are in cranio-caudal direction, where a positive measurement indicates caudal movement of the tooth.
Tooth Difference pre/post hypomochlion therapy \[mm\]
14 -0.23
15 -0.17
16 -0.52
17 -0.82
24 -0.56
25 -0.79
26 -0.52
27 -0.81
34 1.10
35 1.36
36 1.14
37 0.94
44 0.57
45 0.23
46 0.66
47 0.80
DISCUSSION
Malocclusion is one of the most common and often difficult-to-manage complications associated with post-traumatic maxillofacial injury.11 Patients with closed treatment of condylar fractures are reported to have a higher prevalence of developing severe malocclusion compared to patients treated with open treatment.12 Since malocclusion is one of the factors responsible for mandibular functional impairment, it is important to resolve this complication as early as possible. Treatment options for post-traumatic malocclusion include occlusal adjustments by adjusting the occlusal plane, orthodontic treatment, TMJ reconstruction, and/or orthognathic surgery.7,8 Orthognathic surgery is most commonly used to correct the malocclusion.13
The aim of this case report was to present an alternative non-surgical treatment modality for treating severe long-term malocclusion after fracture of the mandibular condyle. In the four cases presented in this report, post-operative corrective surgery was postponed and occlusal stops were used to attempt malocclusion correction and thereby avoiding corrective surgery altogether.
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2.2