title: Conservative treatment of unilateral displaced condylar fractures in children with mixed dentition.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to present the outcomes of the conservative treatment of unilateral displaced condylar fractures in a series of children with mixed dentition.
  
  
  METHODS
  The treatment protocol of our study population included the placement of fixed orthodontic appliances, the preparation of a maxillary acrylic splint, and functional exercises. Six and 12 months after trauma, patients underwent clinical temporomandibular joint dysfunction and mandibular motion assessments and a panoramic radiography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fourteen children with a mean age of 7.2 years were included in the study. At 1 year follow-up, complete clinical and functional recovery was observed in all patients. A complete healing process leading to a normal condylar process was observed in almost all patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Conservative treatment of displaced condylar fractures in children, using a progressively remodeled splint, showed satisfactory functional outcomes at 12 months of follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Division of Maxillofacial Surgery, Head and Neck Department, San Giovanni Battista Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy. paolo.boffano@gmail.com
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Boffano
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Roccia
authors.forename: Eleonora
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schellino
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Baietto
authors.forename: Cesare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gallesio
authors.forename: Sid
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Berrone
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003818:Dentition, Mixed; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D017102:Fracture Healing; D006801:Humans; D019248:Jaw Fixation Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D017090:Occlusal Splints; D009967:Orthodontic Appliances; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D020127:Recovery of Function; D016896:Treatment Outcome