[Growth disturbances of the temporomandibular joint: causes, diagnosis and treatment]. / Groeistoornissen van het kaakgewricht: oorzaken, diagnose en behandeling.

Growth disturbances of the temporomandibular Joint are characterized by mandibular asymmetry, sometimes with secondary maxillar disturbances. Although the clinical symptoms are sometimes quite severe, patients usually have no pain. There are several growth disturbances, but in this article we discuss three particular causes of facial asymmetry, namely hemimandibular growth defects; overdevelopment, underdevelopment and neoplasms of the mandibular joint. Hemimandibular overdevelopment (hyperplasia) is a growth disorder characterized by progressive asymmetry of the mandibula. Hemimandibular hypoplasia, on the other hand, is a growth disorder involving underdevelopment of the condyle mandibulae due to impingement of the growth center and ankylosing. A pronounced asymmetrical face can cause aesthetic problems and always requires diagnostics, because in addition to the hyperplasia and hypoplasia mentioned above, other causes can explain the asymmetry such as, for example, an osteoarthritis or even a tumor emanating from the base of the skull, mandibula or soft tissues.

[Internal derangements of the temporomandibular joint]. / Internal derangements van het kaakgewricht.

An internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint is described as a deviation in the position or shape of the joint tissues. Such a change is only functionally manifest if it interferes with smooth movements of the jaw joint. There are a number of internal derangements associated with jaw movements in which popping jaw joint sounds can occur. Examples are an anteriorly or posteriorly displaced disc and hypermobility of the condylar head. Although most internal derangements are harmless and only cause minor discomfort to patients, disc displacements can in some cases develop into a clinical problem, for example when there is a limitation of mouth opening (so-called closed lock) or an inability to close the mouth (so-called open lock). Most patients with these conditions do not require any or only conservative treatment.