Fractures of Articular Process of Mandible (A Review of Literature)

Overview

Injuries of facial skeleton occurred in each period of history but their mechanismshave been changing. What remains constant is the role of human factor. The mechanism ofinjuries of articular processes is mostly indirect. The fracture originates during the action ofexternal force on the chin, the traumatizing strength in transferred through the mandible bodyand branches to articular process, which lean against the articular fossa with strengthenedlateral margin protected also by the articular disk. If the deformation exceeds the limit ofelasticity, the cervix breaks. The fracture may not necessarily be recognized and long-term evenlifelong morphological and functional disorders may ensue. The choice of surgical or conservativeapproach to the treatment of these fractures remains the question. Each of these methodshas specific indications, advantages and disadvantages and the risks. The paper presentsa survey of recent literature, dealing with the problems of fractures of articular processes ofmandible.

Key words:
articular process of mandible – treatment of fracture of articular process –morphological and functional disorders – injuries of facial skeleton