Oral Health-related Quality of Life and Functional Mastication after Release of Unilateral Temporomandibular Joint Ankylosis with Gap Arthroplasty in a Skeletally Immature Patient - A Prospective Study.

INTRODUCTION

This study was performed to analyse the oral health-related quality of life (QoL) and masticatory functional efficiency after release of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

There were two groups with Group 1 having 12 operated cases of TMJ ankylosis and Group 2 having 12 normal participants with age- and gender-matched controls. The maximum voluntary bite force (MVBF) of the cases was measured at 3 months, 6 months and 1 year postoperatively with a digital gnathodynamometer. The patients completed 14-item Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) questionnaires once before and after surgery. The weight of the operated cases was measured on the same follow-up appointments to ascertain weight gain.

RESULTS

Compared to controls, 70.5% reported efficient bite force at 6 months and all 77.4% had efficient bite forces at 1 year postoperatively. There was an increase in the mean weight by 5.57 kg in the patients by 1 year after surgery. All the OHIP showed a significant improvement.

DISCUSSION

We conclude that with the attainment of efficient MVBF values, the patient's masticatory performance improved concomitantly after release of TMJ ankylosis leading to improvement in oral health maintenance and QoL.