Adolescent Internal Condylar Resorption

Rosy, I am happy you posted here, nice to hear from you, and please know that you are not alone in the quest to find answers.

You can check pubmed.com for research on this subject.

Here is something I found by doing simple search:

Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin North Am. 2007 May;19(2):223-34.

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, 55 Fruit Street, Warren Bldg. 1201, Boston, MA 02114, USA.

Idiopathic condylar resorption almost exclusively affects women. Its exact etiology and pathogenesis remain unclear. It has been associated with rheumatoid arthritis, temporomandibular joint internal derangement, condylar fractures, connective tissue or autoimmune diseases, orthodontic treatment, and orthognathic surgery. In most cases, however, there is no identifiable precipitating event, hence the term "idiopathic condylar resorption." The female predisposition to this condition may be attributed to the influence of estrogen and prolactin on the bone response. Treatment of idiopathic condylar resorption is controversial. Condylectomy and reconstruction with costochondral graft offer definitive management of active idiopathic condylar resorption.


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Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2007 Jan;131(1):89-97.
Retreatment of a patient who presented with condylar resorption.
Bilodeau JE.

This case report describes the retreatment of a patient whose initial nonextraction treatment several years earlier had been unsuccessful. When she sought new treatment, she had an open bite, proclined incisors, and severe temporomandibular joint derangement with almost complete resorption of the condyles. The new treatment, which included extractions and surgery, gave her balanced and harmonious facial proportions, a Class I occlusion with normal overjet and overbite, and a healthy dentition. There was no further loss of condylar tissue and the temporomandibular joints were asymptomatic.

Full article available here:
http://www.bilode auorthodontics.com/case10.pdf


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This are abstracts of medical journal articles. University medical libraries might have more information as well - books, journals. I wish that someone who has experienced this would comment and provide you with more information.

I would say that more information is needed before you can find out if it is serious or not. If condyle suffers
to much brakedown then I would assume it might cause a problem with proper joint function.

Please tell us how old is your daughter and if she has pain, also, how was this diagnosis made? Did they do CT or MRI scan and noticed this? Did you see an oral surgeon or some other specialist? Wish you and your daughter strength and find a good doctor.

I thought I would not get reviewed for posting abstracts, they are public domain published by our own government. I have inquired before with pubmed on this matter and they grant such rights to republish as long as we include reference.

Now, the full article, it appears that the doctor who wrote it, has his own site, and allows people to download it for free.

I am very sorry - if you are so upset with it. I am just trying to help.

I am just starting this long journey. My son has been diagnosed w/ idopathic condylar resorption. The initial diagnosis was made two years ago, when he was 12. We were just starting the orthodontic process and they did x-rays. We were referred to Mayo Clinic and told nothing could be done until he was done w/ puberty. Now, at age 14, we went back for another visit and will soon start treatment!! No changes in the condyles, they are "burnt" all the way down. Waiting for the orthodontist to receive the info from Mayo. I am wondering, since this is a medical condition, is it possible for the orthodontic work to be covered under medical insurance rather than dental insurance? Any ideas out there??

I know my last policy had limit of $2000 for TMJ related treatments. There might be a way around ( I am hoping) if it is surgical and can be shown to be medically necessary (you are not addressing popping, clicking, or general appearance of smile for aesthetic purposes). I think insurance companies really need a kick in the butt and pressure from Congress to include all treatments if they are medically necessary.

I am SOOOOOO angry. I checked into my dental and medical insurance and absolutely nothing is covered. About the only thing that will be paid for is the extraction of impacted wisdom teeth. My medical policy excludes malocclusion. I can appeal or send a grievance, but I am totally at a loss as to how this can happen. It's not cosmetic, it's an idiopathic condition!!!

oh yes beleive me ---most of us can relate to your anger----i usually warn every one that tmj is an exclusing. beleive me im mad too

Don't give up. I read somewhere that one lady had Medicare who denied
her jaw surgery and she had to take them to court to pay, and they did eventually paid because it was medically necessary.

yeah you can do that but it costs more money

I received a letter from the insurance saying that I can appeal or file a grievance. They carbon copied the doctor at Mayo. So I plan on giving him a call to see what they can do to help. I'm sure they see this quite often.

yes unfortunately we do----not just us as patients but the companies and the doctors