Anterior dislocation of the temporomandibular joint: a simplified non-traumatic manual technique

ABSTRACT

Anterior mandibular dislocation (AMD) is defined as the displacement of the condylar head out of the glenoid fossa beyond the articular eminence, and that does not reduce spontaneously to its normal position. The Hippocratic method is the usual approach for condylar repositioning at most health centers although it is perceived by the patient as an unpleasant, brusque technique and outcomes are not always favorable.

Objective

The aim of this work is to describe a new simplified nontraumatic manual technique and its application in a series of cases.

Method

A procedure based on gently and constantly guiding the patient’s mouth opening and closing movements is described in detail.

Results

Forty-two patients were treated with a treatment success rate of 100%, and no pain associated with the procedure. Procedure time was 1.5–7 min in 40 of the 42 treated cases.

Conclusion

The procedure presented here is an improvement on the original technique: it is simple, fast, effective, can be performed in any setting, and avoids use of brusque force, which is the factor that causes the patient most discomfort and fear.

KEYWORDS:

• Mandibular Condyle
• Temporomandibular Disorders
• Joint Disease
• TMJ Disorders
• Recurrence
• Temporomandibular joint
• dislocations
• therapeutic procedure

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Dr María E. Itoiz, Emeritus Professor of the University of Buenos Aires, for critically reading the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Federico Stolbizer

Dr. Federico Stolbizer graduate from the School of Dentistry, University of Buenos Aires (1996). He has been a Specialist in Surgery and Bucomaxilofacial Traumatology since 2004 and has obtained the degree of Dentistry Doctor (PhD) in the area of Pathology in 2007. He began his training in the Department of Pathological Anatomy (1993-2006), then working as a teacher in the Department of Surgery and Bucomaxilofacial Traumatology where he is currently the Head Professor. During 2011-2017 he served as Director of the emergency Department of School of Dentistry of University of Buenos Aire . He has made more than 100 presentations at special meetings of his specialty. He presented about 40 research works in international scientific congresses, and has published 20 full papers in peer review journals.

Jonathan Saiegh

Jonathan Saiegh is a Dentist graduated from the Faculty of Dentistry of the University of Buenos Aires (2008). He teaching activity began in the Department of Surgery and Bucomaxilofacial Traumatology III of the Faculty of Dentistry of the University of Buenos Aires in December of the year 2008-2016.He has made more than 34 presentations at special meetings of his specialty. He presented about 15 research works in international scientific congresses, and has published 3 full papers in peer review journals.

Maria M Andrada

Maria M Andrada is a Dentist graduated from the Faculty of Dentistry of the University of Buenos Aires (2003). She has been an authorized U.B.A teacher since 2011 and currently in the final stage of his Doctorate in Dentistry (PhD) in the area of abnormal movements, specifically in Bruxism. His teaching activity began in the Department of Surgery and Bucomaxilofacial Traumatology III of the Faculty of Dentistry of the University of Buenos Aires in December of the year 2003 (2003-2017), later working as a teacher in the Department of Surgery and Traumatology Bucomaxilofacial II, in the Orofacial Pain and ATM department, until today. She has made more than 40 presentations at special meetings of his specialty. She presented about 15 research works in international scientific congresses, and has published 4 full papers in peer review journals.