A New Extraoral Closed Reduction Technique for Temporomandibular Joint Dislocation: A Preliminary Case Series

ABSTRACTObjective: This study aims to describe a new extraoral technique for reducing bilateral temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dislocations. Methods: Design: Retrospective Preliminary Case Series Setting: Tertiary Government Training Hospital Participants: Ten (10) adults with bilateral TMJ dislocation Results: Ten patients, 7 males and 3 females with median age of 35.50 (IQR:21.25 [23.50, 44.75]) years old were included in our series. Seven had more than one previous episode of TMJ dislocation, and the dislocation spontaneously occurred while yawning or eating in six patients. Our new technique resulted in complete bilateral reduction in three patients who had first-episode TMJ dislocations but only in four out of seven with previous dislocation. The three others (two partial, unilateral failure of reduction and one complete failure of reduction) needed conventional extraoral reduction (Hippocratic technique). Conclusion: This new extraoral technique may show promising preliminary results in the management of temporomandibular joint dislocation, but a larger trial in comparison with other techniques is needed.