Comparative study on the osseous changes of the TMJ and mandibular asymmetry after conservative or operative treatment in condylar fracture patients

Yu, Su Kyoung; Kim, Kyung A; Kwon, Ki Jeong; Koh, Kwang Joon

Abstract

PURPOSE
To compare the effects of the conservative treatment and operative treatment by observation of osseous changes of the TMJ and mandibular asymmetry in condylar fracture patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 33 condylar fracture patients (17 with conservative and 16 with operative treatment) were included in this study. After a minimum of 6 months after the surgical procedure, patients were given a follow up examination of the osseous changes using a transcranial view. Differences in the osseous changes of both groups were compared and the asymmetry indices were calculated on a postero-anterior skull view. RESULTS: The TMJ of the operative treatment group showed more significant osseous changes than the conservative treatment group. The affected TMJ showed more significant osseous changes than the unaffected TMJ in the both groups. The unaffected TMJ of the conservative group and the affected TMJ of the operative group showed significant osseous changes. The mandibular asymmetry indices in the conservative and operative group were 5.12 and 7.30 respectively at the time of treatment, and 2.39 and 3.41 respectively at the follow-up. But the mandibular asymmetry between the both groups showed no statistical differences. CONCLUSION: The TMJ of the operative group showed more significant osseous changes than the conservative group, but the mandibular asymmetry between the both groups showed no statistical difference.