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Remodelling following condylar fractures in children
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Ankara, Turkey. oguven@dentistry.ankara.edu.tr
Purpose:
In this study, 18 children with 21 subcondylar fractures sustained during their growth period (age at trauma from 4-11 years, mean 7.7 years) have been followed-up.
Material And Methods:
All patients were treated by custom-made arch bars and intermaxillary fixation for 12-17 days, then kept on a liquid diet for 15 days without fixation. The mean follow-up was 4.7 years. The conservative treatment has been evaluated with clinical, radiographic, and functional parameters.
Results:
Remodelling of the condylar head was good in 17, whilst moderate remodelling occurred in the other four condyles. In four patients, a slight deflection (less than 2 mm) to the side of the fracture on wide mouth opening was seen. There was no malocclusion or ankylosis.
Conclusion:
Conservative treatment of condylar fractures during growth resulted in good function and good remodelling of the condyle. Functional treatment after intermaxillary fixation for 12-17 days proved to be quite acceptable.