Pediatric internal derangements of the temporomandibular joint: effect on facial development.

Abstract

To evaluate the relationship between internal derangement(s) of the temporomandibular joint(s) (TMJ) and disturbed facial skeleton growth (dysmorphogenesis), 128 consecutive children (103 girls, 25 boys), who were 14 years of age or younger and had undergone combined radiographic and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging studies of both TMJs, were retrospectively analyzed. Imaging studies had been performed to investigate suspected TMJ derangement because of symptoms that included, either individually or in various combinations, pain, mechanical TMJ dysfunction, and facial skeleton abnormalities, such as mandibular deficiency (particularly retrognathia) and lower facial (mandibular) asymmetry, manifested by chin deviation from the midline. Of these patients, 112 were found to have at least one internally deranged TMJ on imaging studies; in 85 patients, both TMJs were abnormal. Of the 60 retrognathic patients 56 were found to have TMJ derangement, generally bilateral and often of advanced stage. In cases of lower facial asymmetry, the chin was uniformly deviated toward the smaller or more degenerated TMJ. Both TMJs were normal in 16 patients, most of whom had normal facial structure. We conclude that TMJ derangements are both common in children and may contribute to the development of retrognathia, with or without asymmetry, in many cases.