Correction of micrognathia attributable to ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint using a gradual distraction technique: case report.

Ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) occurring in early childhood results in severe micrognathia and facial asymmetry. These patients often have an associated deformity of the mandibular ramus and coronoid process, and also limitation of mouth opening and airway obstruction. Various treatments for TMJ ankylosis have been described, as well as for simultaneous correction of the ankylosis and the mandibular deformity.1-8 However, the combined treatment of ankylosis and mandibular deformity is still difficult because of technical problems and the high incidence of recurrence. The following report describes a case of severe micrognathia attributable to ankylosis of the TMJ after meningitis in which the deformity was treated using a gradual distraction technique after elimination of the ankylosis.

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