Impact of Temporomandibular Joint Ankylosis on Dentition and Ramus Height: A Clinical Perspective

Objective: Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis is a debilitating disorder that affects jaw movement, facial symmetry, and general well-being. This study evaluates the impact of TMJ ankylosis on dentition, ramus height, and functional limitations, while also examining treatment trends among affected individuals. Study Design: A cross-sectional study Place and Duration of Study: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan; from January 2023 to June 2023. Materials and Methods: 40 patients with a diagnosis of TMJ ankylosis were evaluated for demographic details, impacts on dentition, differences in ramus height, functional limitations, and treatment records. Distributions of frequencies and percentages were used to analyze the data. Results: The majority of patients (30%) were aged 20-29 years, with 50% presenting with bilateral ankylosis. The condition was equally divided between fibrous and bony ankylosis (50% each). Dental issues included malocclusion (62.5%), crowding (37.5%), and mandibular hypoplasia (30%). A ramus height drop of 11-15 mm was most common (37.5%). Functional deficits included difficulty in chewing (75%) and reduced mouth opening (70%). 25% had never received treatment, while 30% had undergone gap arthroplasty. Conclusion: TMJ ankylosis causes malocclusion, reduced height of the ramus, and functional disability with a significant impact on the dentition and oral functionality. Surgical intervention is the main treatment, although there are a lot of untreated cases. This requires early detection and intervention to ensure that the long-term effects are minimal.