Temporomandibular Joint Ankylosis – A Case Report.
Divya M Mehta1, V Anand1, GS Asokan1, N Balaji1 ,S Aswini1, J. Jenita Jacobina2

1Department of oral medicine and radiology, Tagore dental college and hospital, Ratinamangalam, Vandalur post, Tamilnadu, India. 2Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Sree Balaji Dental College and Hospital,  Bharath University, Pallikaranai, Chennai – 600100  

Abstract: Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) ankylosis is a condition in which condylar movement is limited by a mechanical problem in the joint ("true ankylosis") or by a mechanical cause not related to joint components ("false ankylosis"). True ankylosis may be bony or fibrous. In bony ankylosis, the condyle or ramus is attached to the temporal or zygomatic bone by an osseous bridge. In fibrous ankylosis a soft tissue (fibrous) union of joint components occurs; the bone components appear normal. False ankylosis may result from conditions that inhibit condylar movement, such as muscle spasm, myositis ossificans, or coronoid process hyperplasia. Most unilateral cases are caused by mandibular trauma or infection. The most common cause of bilateral TMJ ankylosis is rheumatoid arthritis, although in rare cases bilateral fracture may be the cause. Here we report a case of TMJ ankylosis in a 30 year-old male patient showing most of the characteristic features of this condition.

Keywords: Temporomandibular; Joint; Ankylosis; condylar; movement

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