Long-standing bilateral dislocation of the mandible in the elderly

The aetiology of long-term bilateral dislocation of the mandibular condyle in the elderly patient is discussed. Two of the author's cases are used to illustrate the different ways in which the above condition may arise. The treatment of the above cases is discussed, one form of treatment being a modification by the author of a technique described by Archer & Gould, in which Gunning's splints fitted with a fulcrum were wired into the edentulous jaws. The dislocated mandible was then subjected to elastic traction. A second case of 5 year's duration had bilateral condylectomies performed, using a different surgical approach on each side in order to try and find a technique which would afford better access to the condyle when it is in the temporal fossa than the more usual pre-auricular approach.