Revista Cubana de Estomatología (Jun 2017)
Posttraumatic mandibular reconstruction
Abstract
Introduction: overly delayed initial treatment is one the factors leading to persistent deformities after craniofacial trauma. Ideal mandibular reconstruction will create a solid dental arch which will articulate with the maxilla and restore speech, swallowing, mastication and esthetics. Objective: present a case of mandibular reconstruction of a posttraumatic mandibular deformity. Case presentation: a 49-year-old female patient can only feed herself liquid food after a craniofacial trauma undergone six months before. Physical examination revealed facial asymmetry with an increase in the vertical dimension of the lower third of the face and bilabial incompetence. Oral examination, on the other hand, revealed that the patient had a totally edentulous upper dental arch and partial prosthetic rehabilitation of the maxillary arch, impossibility of oral closure, and the presence of a visible step on the residual ridge at the 45 and distal 37. Diagnosis was a posttraumatic deformity due to bilateral mandibular fracture. Evaluation was carried out in joint coordination with the prosthesis service, and it was decided to perform surgical mandibular reconstruction by cervical approach, refracture, mandibular relocation with fixation of the occlusal guide, and placement of load bearing mandibular plates with bicortical screws. Outpatient follow-up was conducted after hospital discharge. The patient states that she is very pleased with her esthetic appearance and the functional improvement achieved. Conclusions: posttraumatic sequelae are frequently accompanied by damage to soft and hard tissues of the facial region with varying degrees of esthetic and functional alteration. Restoration by means of facial reconstruction is often a professional challenge which may be best tackled with a team, transdisciplinary therapeutic approach.
