title: The long-term effect of oromaxillofacial trauma on the function of the temporomandibular joint.
abstract: Thirty patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) after trauma to the orofacial region were followed for 6 months. They were assessed at 10 days, 1 month, and 6 months. It was found that patients with combined fractures of the mandible and condyle showed more effects on function of the temporomandibular joint after 1 month than patients with condylar fracture only. This difference was not so apparent after 6 months. Patients with trauma but no fracture showed similar effects to those with non-condylar fractures. There was a tendency for arthrogenous patients to develop myogenous problems with time. A group of patients with TMD but no trauma, showed more favourable long-term response to conservative treatment. Long-term follow-up of these patients for TMD problems is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry, School of Oral Health Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. 078vicjm@cosmos.wits.ac.za
authors.forename: V J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bodner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005147:Facial Bones / Q000293:injuries; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007568:Jaw / Q000293:injuries*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000293:injuries; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000150:complications; D009055:Mouth / Q000293:injuries*; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000150:complications; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy