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Conservative treatment for recurrent dislocation of temporomandibular joint

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 May 2009

K Sato ,
H Umeno  and
T Nakashima
K Sato*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan
H Umeno
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan
T Nakashima
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Kiminori Sato, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Kurume University School of Medicine, 67 Asahi-machi, Kurume 830-0011, Japan. Fax: 81 942 37 1200 E-mail: kimisato@oct-net.ne.jp
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Abstract

Objective:

Recurrent dislocation of the temporomandibular joint is difficult to treat with nonsurgical methods. A new nonsurgical method for the treatment of this condition is presented.

Methods:

Routine dental arch bars were applied to the teeth, and two latex elastic bands were placed between the two arch bars on either side of the dental arch. Muscular exercises (i.e. active mouth opening) were then performed regularly over approximately three months.

Results:

Patients were followed up for two to five years, and the treatment proved successful in five of five cases (i.e. no recurrence was seen). The advantages of this treatment are its simplicity and the lack of special equipment needed. No surgery is required, although patients must perform regular muscular exercises. Surgical complications such as trismus and facial nerve palsy are avoided. The disadvantages of this method are the requirement for patient compliance, and its lack of usefulness in patients without teeth.

Conclusions:

The described method is useful for patients complaining of recurrent dislocation of the temporomandibular joint.

Keywords

Temporomandibular JointRecurrent DislocationConservative Treatment
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 123 , Supplement S31 , May 2009 , pp. 72 - 74
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2009

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References

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3Gerry, RG. Effects of trauma and hypermotility on the temporo-mandibular joint. Oral Surg 1954;7:876–93CrossRefGoogle Scholar