Overview on Malocclusion after Maxillofacial Trauma and Its Management

Abstract

Malocclusion is one of the most common and often difficult-to-manage complications associated with post-traumatic maxillofacial injury. Maxillofacial injury is considered an important health problem worldwide. Such injuries most often have significant financial consequences and result in deformity of facial aesthetics, loss of function, and increased incidence of other health problems. Many common treatment approaches are extraction of teeth, occlusal adjustments, functional therapy, or a combination of these. An appropriate treatment plan should typically involve orthodontic treatment because it can prevent multi-segment upper jaw operations and stabilize the arches by coordinating and aligning them. The most common and important form of post traumatic malocclusion is malocclusion secondary to condylar fractures. Patient may complain of an open bite with functional disturbances, facial asymmetry. There is also improper alignment of teeth, frequent biting of the inner cheeks or tongue, discomfort when chewing or biting. Management approach of secondary malocclusion after maxillofacial trauma should include prosthetic treatment, orthodontic treatment, and implant-supported rehabilitation.