Comparison of computed tomography imaging before and after functional treatment of bilateral condylar fractures in adults

Bilateral condylar fractures in 10 adult patients were successfully treated nonsurgically. The patients were studied with computed tomography (CT). In all patients, the pretreatment images of both condyles showed medially displaced or dislocated condyles which were accompanied clinically by an anterior open bite. In all patients, the anterior open bite was eliminated and the occlusion was normal 2-3 months after treatment, while jaw function was normal and the patients were free of pain. Follow-up CT images showed that the fractured condyles had healed by bony consolidation but were still displaced or dislocated. The relationships with the glenoid fossa had not improved. The reestablishment of occlusion and function appears to occur not as a result of anatomic restitution of condylar height, but as a result of adaptation of the masticatory muscles.