Longitudinal management of recurrent temporomandibular joint ankylosis from infancy to adulthood in perspective of surgical and orthodontic treatment

This study was performed to describe the longitudinal management of recurrent temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis from infancy to adulthood in perspective of surgical and orthodontic treatment. A 2-year-old girl was referred with chief complaints of restricted mouth opening and micrognathia due to bilateral TMJ ankylosis. For stage I treatment during early childhood (6 years old), high condylectomy and interpositional arthroplasty were performed. However, TMJ ankylosis recurred and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) developed. For stage II treatment during early adolescence (12 years old), gap arthroplasty, coronoidectomy, bilateral mandibular distraction osteogenesis, and orthodontic treatment with extraction of the four first premolars were performed. However, TMJ ankylosis recurred. Because the OSA symptoms reappeared, she began to use a continuous positive airway pressure device. For stage III treatment after completion of growth (20 years old), low condylectomy, coronoidectomy, reconstruction of the bilateral TMJs with artificial prostheses along with counterclockwise rotational advancement of the mandible, genioglossus advancement, and orthodontic treatment were performed. After stage III treatment, the amount of mouth opening exhibited a significant increase. Mandibular advancement and ramus lengthening resulted in significant improvement in the facial profile, Class I relationships, and normal overbite/overjet. The OSA symptoms were also relieved. These outcomes were stable at the one-year follow-up visit. Since the treatment modalities for TMJ ankylosis differ according to the duration of ankylosis, patient age, and degree of deformity, the treatment flowchart suggested in this report could be used as an effective guideline for determining the appropriate timing and methods for the treatment of TMJ ankylosis.