Dislocation of jaws

Abstract

Pluri-directional tomographic and arthrotomographic findings are described in six patients with dislocation of the jaw severe enough to require medical assistance. A grooved defect along the posterior aspect of the condylar head was noted in two of the six patients. The arthrotomographic findings that were obtained in one patient that was dislocated at the time of the arthrogram did not suggest a meniscocondyle incoordination as a mechanism. However, arthrotomographic findings in the six reported cases suggest that significant intra-articular soft tissue damage may result.