Bilateral Condylar Hyperplasia-Nonsurgical Management: A Clinical Report

Background: Patients present with malocclusions in the form of bilateral open bite with functional and esthetic challenges. These are particularly so whereby these are acquired through growth anomalies that create a change in the occlusal status whereby a patient has to adapt to the challenge of the occlusal change. While surgical intervention is a considered option to correct such changes, not all patients are willing to endure the consequences of this intervention and as such this report presents a conservative minimally invasive approach. Aim: This clinical report demonstrates a nonsurgical approach in the management of a patient with bilateral metabolically active condylar hyperplasia. Case report: The patient presented with a bilateral open bite with occlusal contacts only present on her second molars. The severity of the open bite was reported to be recently progressing and getting worse. This condition had impaired her chewing function and quality of life over an 8-year period. Bone scintigraphy was performed and metabolically active bilateral condylar hyperplasia was diagnosed. The patient refused surgical intervention and instead a conservative overlay denture was prescribed, which successfully restored her function and esthetics. Conclusion: Removable overlay dentures can be a relatively simple and effective treatment option for patients presenting with newly acquired bilateral open bites to give a functional and esthetic outcome. Clinical significance: This clinical report shows the conservative management of bilateral condylar hyperplasia with a simple removable overlay appliance. The occlusion has stabilized and the patient functions well. Keywords: Bone scintigraphy, Condylar hyperplasia, Open bite, Overlay denture.