This study aimed at presenting a retrospective longitudinal analysis of the pediatric jaw lesions treated at the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, over a timeframe of ten years (2012 to 2021). The clinical and radiological characteristics of the jawbone lesions, the treatment outcome, and the recurrence incidence were described. All consecutive patients aged below 18 years, with histologically diagnosed odontogenic tumors (OTs), nonodontogenic tumors (non-OTs), or odontogenic cysts (OCs) were included. Age, dentition type, clinical symptoms, preoperative and postoperative radiological tests, histological diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up information one year following the diagnoses were all examined. Eighty-two cases were included. The ratio of men to women was 1.15:1, with the mandible predominating by 64.4%. Inflammatory radicular cysts predominated in 31.7% of cases. A total of 42.68% of the patients were asymptomatic. Enucleation was the most frequent surgical technique (45.1%), followed by cystectomies (28%) and marsupialization (14.6%). The overall recurrence rate was 7.3%; the most recurrent histopathological lesion was the odontogenic keratocyst. This study sheds new light on the clinical and radiological characteristics, treatment outcomes, and recurrence rate of juvenile jawbone lesions in children and adolescents. The diagnosis and treatment of jawbone lesions in children and adolescents can be enhanced with the use of epidemiological, clinical, and imagistic information.

This study aimed at evaluating the mandibular condyle position changes before and after bimaxillary orthognathic surgery in class II and III malocclusion patients. CBCT scans from patients who underwent bimaxillary orthognathic surgery were analyzed: Le Fort I osteotomy and bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO). Both condyles were independently assessed for their largest anterior and posterior joint spaces, smallest medial joint spaces, and condyle angles concerning the transverse line. In the sagittal plane, the minimum size of the anterior and posterior joint spaces was measured. In the coronal plane, the smallest medial joint space was measured. The position of the condyle within the glenoid fossa was determined before and after surgery. A total of 56 TMJs from 28 patients were studied. Following orthognathic surgery, the anterior and posterior space in class II increased. Postoperatively, the anterior joint space in class III decreased. In 42.85% of malocclusion class II patients and 57.14% of malocclusion class III patients, the pre-and post-surgical position of the condyle changed, the condyle was anteriorly positioned (42.85%) in class II patients and centrically positioned (71.4%) in class III patients. Significant changes in the joint space, condylar position, and condyle angle were found in the class II and class III subjects.

This study aimed to provide a complex analysis of the modifications in craniofacial skeleton development that may arise following the diagnosis of pediatric benign jaw tumors. A prospective study was undertaken involving 53 patients younger than 18 years of age, who presented for treatment at the Department of Maxillo-Facial Surgery, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, with a primary benign jaw lesion between 2012 and 2022. A total of 28 odontogenic cysts (OCs), 14 odontogenic tumors (OTs), and 11 non-OTs were identified. At follow-up, dental anomalies were identified in 26 patients, and overjet changes were found in 33 children; lateral crossbite, midline shift, and edge-to-edge bite were found in 49 cases; deep or open bite were found in 23 patients. Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) were found in 51 children, with unilateral TMJ changes identified in 7 cases and bilateral modifications found in 44 patients. Degenerative changes in the TMJ were also diagnosed in 22 pediatric patients. Although benign lesions could be associated with dental malocclusions, a direct etiological factor could be not identified. The presence of jaw tumors or their surgical treatment could, however, be linked to a change of the occlusal relationships or the onset of a TMD.

Occlusal splints are used as a non-invasive treatment for patients diagnosed with temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Another non-invasive treatment option for TMD patients is kinesiotherapy, which may be used alone or in conjunction with occlusal splint therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in the intra-articular spaces of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) after occlusal splint therapy combined with cranio-temporomandibular kinesiotherapy in TMD patients. Twenty-four patients (N = 24) diagnosed with TMD according to Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) were included. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images were taken before and after treatment. The anterior, superior, posterior, and medial joint spaces were measured on the CBCT images, and the condylar ratio was calculated using Pullinger and Hollender’s formula. Additionally, the thickness of the glenoid fossa (GFT), condylar medio-lateral widths (MLW), and condylar height (HCo) were measured. The condylar ratio was significantly higher after treatment (p = 0.049). The changes in dimensions of the anterior, superior, posterior and medial joint spaces were not statistically significant after treatment. No statistically significant differences were found in the dimensions of the GFT, MLW, and HCo post treatment. The condylar position did not shift anteriorly in a statistically significant way after occlusal splint therapy combined with cranio-temporomandibular kinesiotherapy in TMD patients.