The purpose of this report is to describe the size and shape changes of mandible after operation in patient with ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint.
A condylectomy of congenital ankylosis was treated at age 6. The cephalomatic radiographic results of the follow-up study 7 years after operation show that the gonial angle size and curvature of the lower border of mandible (antegonial notch) of affected side have increased. These results suggested that the growth of the ramus of the mandible of the affected side is more disturbed than the growth of contralateral unaffected side of that patient. Therefore, it would be very important for the growth of the ramus after the operation that continuous mechanical stimulation to bone such as a jaw exerciser was constructed usually on the affected side of mandible.
Other problems for treatment of the temporomandibular joint of children, such as opportunity and methods for condylectomy are discussed.
