title: Unilateral superior condylar neck fracture with dislocation in a child treated with an acrylic splint in the upper arch for functional repositioning of the mandible.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To present the outcomes for a case of unilateral mandibular subcondylar fracture with dislocation in an 11-year-old female treated with an acrylic splint for functional repositioning of the mandible.
  
  
  METHODS
  A splint was placed in the upper arch to restore the functional repositioning of the mandible. The splint's height was increased up to 5.5 mm on the side of the fracture to stimulate growth on the deficient side. To correct the mandibular asymmetry, a construction bite was made by 4 mm advancing. The total treatment time was 16 months. Long-term five-year follow up showed complete healing. A portion of the ramus appeared lateral with respect to the condylar head, whereas the mandibular deviation to the right side was fully corrected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Conservative treatment may be an appropriate method for children in select cases, as they have an increased potential for spontaneous regeneration.
authors.affiliation: a Multidisciplinary Department of Medical-Surgical and Odontostomatological Specialties , Second University of Naples (SUN) , Napoli , Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Minervini
authors.affiliation: a Multidisciplinary Department of Medical-Surgical and Odontostomatological Specialties , Second University of Naples (SUN) , Napoli , Italy.
authors.forename: Alberta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lucchese
authors.affiliation: a Multidisciplinary Department of Medical-Surgical and Odontostomatological Specialties , Second University of Naples (SUN) , Napoli , Italy.
authors.forename: Letizia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Perillo
authors.affiliation: a Multidisciplinary Department of Medical-Surgical and Odontostomatological Specialties , Second University of Naples (SUN) , Napoli , Italy.
authors.forename: Rosario
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Serpico
authors.affiliation: a Multidisciplinary Department of Medical-Surgical and Odontostomatological Specialties , Second University of Naples (SUN) , Napoli , Italy.
authors.forename: Gennaro
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Minervini
mesh_terms: D000179:Acrylates; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D000072039:Fracture Dislocation / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D013165:Splints; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000179:Acrylates
keywords: Condylar neck fracture; Conservative treatment; Growing patient; TMJ; Temporomandibular disorders