Mandibular Condylar Fractures

Abstract

Mandibular condyle fractures can result in short-term and long-term morbidity. As a weak area of the mandible, the condyle is vulnerable to injury by a direct impact or an indirect force. Current treatment recommendations aim to better match the severity of the fracture with the choice of closed or open approach. Long-term follow-up of patients provides the best opportunity to monitor the degree of functional restoration after treatment. There is a growing consensus regarding the use of standardized fracture classification methods and outcomes measures that will allow better assessment of treatment results and strengthen the quality of outcomes research.

Keywords: Condylar fracture; Internal fixation; Malocclusion; Maxillo-mandibular fixation; Retromandibular approach.