title: Temporomandibular joint disk fracture: a case report.
abstract: A case of a patient with a fracture of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disk is reported. The patient presented with posterior bilateral open-bite and difficulty to chew due to lack of contact between the posterior teeth. Diagnosis of disk fracture of the right TMJ was made based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with posterior displacement of the posterior fragment of the disk, causing the posterior open-bite, and anterior displacement of the anterior fragment of the disk. TMJ manipulation failed to reposition the posterior fragment of the disk, and the patient refused to undergo TMJ arthroscopy to try to remove it. After four months, the posterior open-bite was reduced, probably because of remodeling of the posterior TMJ capsule and extrusion of the molars and premolars. Contact with the patient was lost after that time.
authors.affiliation: Craniomandibular Pain Center, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. marcellomelis01@libero.it
authors.forename: Marcello
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Melis
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Di Giosia
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Secci
mesh_terms: D050724:Fractures, Cartilage / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D024343:Open Bite / Q000209:etiology; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000209:etiology; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D019224:Temporomandibular Joint Disc / Q000293:injuries*; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000209:etiology*