Recurrent Mandibular Dislocation in Geriatric Patients: Treatment and Prevention by a Simple and Non-invasive Technique

Abstract

Dislocation is defined as the complete loss of articular relationship between the articular fossa of the temporal bone and the condyle-disk complex. Most common aetiology of dislocation is wide mouth opening, trauma and use of certain drugs. It is classified as acute, chronic and recurrent. Chronic recurrent dislocation of mandible is a distressing condition especially for geriatric patients. Various non-surgical methods of reduction include Hippocratic method, Awang’s gag reflex method, wrist-pivot technique, combined ipsilateral staggering technique, recumbent approach, intermaxillary fixation, injection of a sclerosing solution, autologus blood transfusion and botulinum toxin. In geriatric population, the ridges become atrophic with time and use of any method of reduction which exerts force on mandible increases chances of fracture of mandible. Awang’s gag reflex method is a non invasive technique which helps in treatment of chronic recurrent dislocation in geriatric patients. Along with this technique the use of a cervical collar has been reported in this article, which not only acts as a restrainer but also is helpful for cervical spondylosis, a common condition encountered in geriatric population.