title: Changes in mandibular movement and occlusal condition after conservative treatment for condylar fractures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study analyzed the changes in mandibular movement and occlusal condition after conservative treatment for unilateral condylar fractures by use of a sensitive occlusal pressure sheet (Dental Prescale; Fujifilm, Tokyo, Japan) for the evaluation of occlusal condition.
  
  
  METHODS
  We compared 18 patients conservatively treated for unilateral condylar fracture with 23 control subjects. Mandibular movement and occlusal condition were evaluated at 3 and 6 months after conservative treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Maximal mouth opening over 40 mm was achieved at 6 months but was not improved to the control level. Recovery of lateral excursion, protrusion, or deviation on mouth opening was also limited at 6 months. Occlusal area, which was reduced at 3 months, had significantly improved at 6 months. The asymmetry index of the occlusal area was significantly improved at 6 months compared with that at 3 months. Mean pressure in the patient group was significantly greater than that in the control group. Total occlusal force, which was reduced at 3 months, was significantly improved at 6 months. The asymmetry index of occlusal force, which was significantly greater than that in the control group, was significantly improved at 6 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mandibular movement was increased at 6 months despite the slight disturbance in lateral excursion to the nonfractured side and the presence of deviation on mouth opening. Occlusal area and occlusal force improved at 6 months, although mean pressure remained slightly higher than that in the control group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Nara Medical University, Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara, Japan. murakami@naramed-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Kazuhiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Murakami
authors.forename: Kazuhiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
authors.forename: Tsutomu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sugiura
authors.forename: Yasutsugu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yamanaka
authors.forename: Tadaaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kirita
mesh_terms: D001732:Bite Force; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003766:Dental Occlusion; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007574:Jaw Relation Record / Q000295:instrumentation; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000293:injuries / Q000503:physiopathology; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012016:Reference Values; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000293:injuries* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome