Diagnosing and treating the patient with restricted mandibular opening: a new approach

Patients with a restricted mandibular opening and related pain require a systematic process for differential diagnosis and treatment planning. This article considers the differential diagnostic process, treatment planning, and treatment delivery for a patient seeking a second opinion before surgery for a closed lock. A closed lock occurs when the disc in the joint has been pulled off the head of the condyle and forward, blocking the condyle from translating forward.