Management of Temporomandibular Joint Dislocation in a Bisphosphonate-Medicated Patient

Gokhan Ozkan¹*, Umut Demetoglu², Hasan Onur Simsek² and Goknil Alkan Demetoglu³

¹Adnan Menderes University, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Turkey

²Adnan Menderes University, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Turkey

³Adnan Menderes University, Department of Prosthetics, Turkey

*Corresponding author: Gokhan Ozkan, Adnan Menderes University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Aydin, Turkey

Received: August 05, 2016; Accepted: September 19, 2016; Published: September 21, 2016

Abstract

The purpose is to evaluate the treatment outcomes for a 75-year-old female patient with unilateral chronic mandibular condylar dislocation and during the past two years has received on oral bisphosphonate. In the present study, eminectomy was performed on a patient who had been receiving zoledronic acid (a bisphosphonate) for osteoporosis. On the follow-up examinations, there were no clinical and radiological signs associated with medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws. Although this treatment protocol was successful in this single case, further studies are required to validate the application of this treatment protocol.

Keywords: Temporomandibular joint; Mandibular condyle; Dislocation; Bisphosphonate; Eminectomy

Introduction

The management of dislocated mandible is a substantial issue in medicine and dentistry [1]. Dislocation is a Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorder and can be classified into 3 categories: acute, chronic, or chronic recurrent [2,3]. Chronic recurrent mandibular dislocation is rarely seen and can present due to various etiologies such as general joint laxity, internal derangement of the TMJ, occlusal disturbances in accordance with tooth loss, alterations in vertical height, and neurologic diseases [1,4].

Conservative treatments; physiotherapy, prosthetic restoration of vertical height, and immobilization of the jaw in the closed position are management options for TMJ dislocation.

Surgical management is proposed when conservative treatment methods fail. Eminectomy is one of the preferred and considered effective technique for the management of chronic recurrent TMJ dislocation [1,3,5,6].

However, to date, there are no studies that mention eminectomy in association with TMJ dislocation in patients who are being treated with Bisphosphonates (BPs) for osteoporosis. BPs is synthetic analogs of pyrophosphates. These medications inhibit osteoclasts, reduce bone metabolism, and are potent inhibitors of osteoclastic bone resorption that are used to control malignancy-related hypercalcemia, multiple myeloma, fibrous dysplasia, metastatic bone tumors, osteoporosis, and Paget’s disease of the bone [5,7]. Medication-related osteonecrosis frequently develops in the posterior mandible, followed by the maxilla and both jaws [5]. Many articles on Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of Jaws (MRONJ) have been published in the literature, but reports of TMJ in association with bisphosphonate treatment are inadequate [8-10].

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report to describe the long-term follow-up results of an eminectomy that was performed on a patient who was being administered. The purpose is to evaluate the treatment outcomes for a 75-year-old female patient with unilateral chronic mandibular condylar dislocation and during the past two years has received on oral bisphosphonate.

Case Presentation

A 75-year-old female patient was referred to our clinic due to severe unilateral TMJ pain, mandibular dislocation, and inability to chew. The patient had experienced mandibular dislocation many times for 2 years. At all times, a dental practitioner helped the patient set the mandibular condyle into position. In addition, the patient had been receiving oral zoledronic acid (a BP) for 2 years as a treatment for osteoporosis. An intraoral examination revealed the unilateral deviation of the mandible to the right side when opening the mouth. The frontal position of the left condyle and deviation to the right side of the mandible could easily be seen on the clinical evaluation. On the TMJ images, there was no evidence of any destruction in the mandibular condyle and glenoid fossa (Figure 1).

Figure 1: TMJ images showing the dislocated condyle at the left side.

    
    
    Figure 1:  TMJ images showing the dislocated condyle at the left side.

After seating the mandibular condyle into the fossa, effective maxillomandibular fixation could not be achieved due to the lack of a sufficient number of teeth. Consequently, a barrel bandage was used to stabilize the mandible.

The next day, the patient visited the clinic again due to repeat mandibular dislocation. After considering the patient’s previous experiences, an eminectomy was planned and detailed information was provided to the patient about the procedure. After the patient consented to the treatment approach, Cone Beam Computed

Tomography (CBCT) images were obtained for detailed planning purposes (Figure 2). However, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) could be helpful in defining the presenting pathology and most ideal treatment option [11], it was not achieved due to claustrophobia of the patient.

Figure 2: Detailed visualization of TMJ on CBCT.

    
    
    Figure 2:  Detailed visualization of TMJ on CBCT.

The risk of BP-related osteonecrosis of the jaw was considered and 1 g amoxicillin and clavulanic acids were preoperatively administered twice per day for 1 week. During surgery, a 1 g intravenous antibiotic was intraoperatively administered. A preauricular lateral incision that reached the eminentia and condyle was performed under general anesthesia. Then, the eminentia was shaved under saline irrigation and flattened with the help of osteotomes. The mandibular movements were checked after the eminectomy, and no mandibular dislocation was detected throughout the process.

Following surgery, the antibiotic regimen (1 g amoxicillin and clavulanic acid) was administered twice per day for 2 weeks because of the risk of infection and osteonecrosis.

Results

After 1week, at the first follow-up examination, pain relief and mouth opening without dislocation was achieved. The patient had mild edema and slight pain while chewing. There were no signs of infection. The flattening of the eminentia articularis was seen on a panoramic radiograph. Postoperative follow-up examinations (3-6 months later) were uneventful. There was no pain during mastication, and no edema was observed. At the 1-year follow-up examination, there was no resorption or bone defect around the mandibular condyle and the operated eminentia was absent on the panoramic radiograph (Figure 3). Also, there were no clinical indicators associated with MRONJ. Follow up continued for 16 months.

Figure 3: Panoramic image of the patient at 12 months following the procedure.

    
    
    Figure 3:  Panoramic image of the patient at 12 months following the
procedure.

Discussion

Research on the effects of antiresorptive drugs, such as BPs, on trabecular architecture has increased in recent years. BPs inhibits osteoclastic activity and change the osteoblast-osteoclast balance. Due to this effect, BPs reduces bone resorption and increase bone formation [12]. Therefore, BPs are widely used to treat postmenopausal osteoporosis and malignancies that lead to hypercalcemia [13,14].

Several side effects have been reported as related to BPs, particularly in the jaws, since increased osteoblastic and osteoclastic activities occur in this region [15]. This increase in activity may cause the excessive deposition of BPs in these regions. Bone remodeling is also crucial for TMJ structures, and therefore adverse effects might occur in this area. Marks reported the first paper on osteonecrosis of the jaws in patients using BPs [16]. On the other hand, there are only a few reports that mention MRONJ of the TMJ [8-10]. Hammarfjord et al. reported a case report on bilateral TMJ ankylosis that was related to BPs and claimed that altered bone remodeling caused this kind of aberration [10]. In addition, a case of unilateral suppurative arthritis of the TMJ was reported by Enomoto et al. [8]. The patient was medicated with BPs (zoledronate) to treat prostate cancer. There was no history of TMJ trauma or any invasive dental treatments, and the authors associated the arthritis with BPs. Another case report presented a femoral fracture on both sides of the hip and TMJ destruction following the use of BPs [9]. The patient had received osteoporosis prophylaxis with alendronate for the past 14 years. The authors declared that these fractures may have occurred as a result of a deficiency in the bone-repair process. The joint surface defects healed by 3.5 years after stopping alendronate medication.

According to a study by Tatli et al. [17] administering a single dose of zoledronic acid to the condyle can lead to increases in bone mineralization. A limited number of studies state that BPs may result in some alterations in the TMJ region. We suggested surgical intervention as the best course of action since the frequency of dislocation significantly decreased the quality of life of our patient, although there was a potential risk of MRONJ. Following minimal traumatic surgical intervention under antibiotic prophylaxis, our patient has not had an MRONJ experience for 16 months.

Conclusion

There are few case reports and experimental studies that investigate the influence of BPs on the TMJ region. Further research studies are needed to help guide clinicians regarding the appropriate surgical approaches to apply to the maxillofacial region in patients receiving BP therapies. Although this treatment protocol was successful in this single case, further studies are required to validate the application of this treatment protocol.

References

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Citation: Ozkan G, Demetoglu U, Simsek HO and Demetoglu GA. Management of Temporomandibular Joint Dislocation in a Bisphosphonate-Medicated Patient. Austin J Radiol. 2016; 3(3): 1055. ISSN : 2473-0637

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