Clinico-statistical observation and follow-up survery on TMJ arthrosis in children below 15 years old were studied. The subjects were 22 patients who visited our hospital in the past 9 years and 8 months.
Sixteen patients from 11 months to 7 years were followed up by recall or enquke after treatment.
The results are summarized below:
1) Initial symptom of TMJ sound only was most frequent (59.1%), and none of the children showed limitation of opening mouth as the initial symptom.
2) As to present status, 9 patients (40.9%) showed isolated single symptoms (3 pain only, 4 limitation only and 2 TMJ sound only).
3) Seventeen patients (77.3%) had malocclusion containing 4 crowding of anterior teeth, 3 deep bite, 3 mandibular protrusion, 3 malposition of molar teeth, 3 posterior cross bite, and 1 maxillary protrusion. Only 5 cases had normal occlusion.
4) Radiographically, 10 ptients (62.5%) showed condylar displacement in the only affected sides (6 anterior positions, 2 posterior positions, 1 superior position, and 1 inferior position). In 4 cases (25.0%), the condylar head located almost in the center of mandibular fossae at both sides.
5) In follow-up status, 4 patients (25.0%) had no TMJ dysfunction symptoms. Most remaining patients had suffered from TMJ sound in spite of no limitation of opening mouth.
6) In 4 patients above described, 2 patients had been treated their malocclusion by orthodontists, and remaining 2 patients had been cured in our clinic by medication only or observation only.
