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Published on: August 22, 2022
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Temporomandibular joint ankylosis: A tertiary center-based epidemiological study
Nitesh Mishra1, Naresh Kumar Sharma2, Neeraj Kumar Dhiman2
1Department of Dentistry, Kalpana Chawla Government Medical College and Hospital, Karnal, Haryana, India.
National Journal of Maxillofacial Surgery
|February 14, 2022
Summary
Childhood trauma is the primary cause of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis, a condition limiting mouth opening. This study highlights its significant incidence, emphasizing the need for increased awareness and better primary-level management.
Area of Science:
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Public Health
Background:
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis, characterized by limited mouth opening, can result from trauma, infection, or autoimmune conditions.
- The global incidence of TMJ ankylosis varies, necessitating localized epidemiological studies.
- This research focuses on understanding the etiological factors within a specific tertiary-level healthcare center's catchment area.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the etiological incidence of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis.
- To analyze the demographic and etiological patterns of TMJ ankylosis in children.
- To identify the most common causes of TMJ ankylosis in the studied population.
Main Methods:
- Screening of 1607 children over 33 months (July 2016 - April 2019).
- Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to identify TMJ ankylosis cases.
- Data analysis focused on incidence, laterality, age distribution, gender ratio, and etiology.
Main Results:
- 128 cases of TMJ ankylosis were identified out of 1607 screened children.
- The majority of cases (83.5%) were in the 10-15 year age group, with a mean age of 12.1 years.
- Childhood trauma was identified as the most frequent cause, with a female preponderance (male-to-female ratio of 7:10).
Conclusions:
- Birth/childhood trauma is the predominant etiological factor for TMJ ankylosis.
- The study identified a significant number of TMJ ankylosis cases.
- Increased prevalence may stem from a lack of awareness among the public and primary healthcare providers, leading to delayed or inadequate initial management.
