A Case of Temporomandibular Joint Disorders in a Young Child with Oral Habits

Abstract

A case of temporomandibular joint disorders in a young child with the oral habit of mandibular protrusion, was reported. A 4 year 2 month old girl visited us with the chief complaints of mandibular protrusion, clicking and pain. She had had the habit of mandibular protrusion since she was around 2 years old. She has had pain and clicking of the right TMJ before going to bed since the age of 3 years and 6 months. Thereafter the frequency of the protrusion continued to increase. She has no pain and clicking of the right TMJ, however. The interincisal opening distance was 45 millimeters. She had clicking and no pain at the right TMJ. The over-bite was 1.5 millimeters. The over-jet was 1.0 millimeters. She had no other habits except this mandibular protrusion. Roentogengraphic examination revealed no abnormality on her condylar heads. The jaw-opening and closing pathways of the incisor point movement was in disorder. Also the trace of the frontal movement was asymmetry. The patient and her parents were instructed not to allow protrusion of the mandible. The symptoms and the oral habit disappeared after 9 months.