No abstract

Mandibular condylar fractures in a growing child may cause long-term consequences. A conservative approach has been recommended to permit the remodelling of the condyles as well as to re-establishing the mandibular dynamics and oral functions. This case report presents a bilateral mandibular condylar fracture in an 11 years old girl treated with myofunctional appliances in combination with exercises. The successful results from this clinical case support a conservative approach when treating mandibular condylar fractures in a growing child instead of an open surgical approach.

Mandibular condylar fractures can be approached with invasive techniques, such as surgical repositioning and fixation of the fractured condyle, or with conservative techniques using myofunctional appliances. Recent publications recommend non-invasive or conservative approaches when treating mandibular condylar fractures, as they may produce more stable results and fewer consequences. However, to the knowledge of the authors, there is no long-term follow up publications of clinical cases treated with a conservative approach. This report presents a ten-year follow-up of a case report published two years ago by the same authors. In the previous report, the authors showed an eleven year-old girl treated with a myofunctional appliance due to a bilateral mandibular condylar fracture. The treatment produced a stable result over the following ten years with the patient not using any appliance after the myofunctional treatment was completed. The benefits of a conservative treatment, as well as the consequences of mandibular condylar fracture, such as a heart shaped mandibular condyle, are discussed here by the authors.