asympomatic Does condylar resorption always progress?

Hello, and thanks for your medical question on E Health Forum.

From the history and description it seems that your daughter has Idiopathic Condylar Reabsorption.

ICR causes mandibular condylar resorption and, with loss of vertical height of the condyle, creating occlusal (bite relationship) and musculoskeletal instability, resulting in the development of dentofacial deformities, TMJ dysfunction, and pain.

ICR can progress for a while and then go into remission or progress until the entire condylar head has been resorbed.

In cases that go into remission, excessive joint loading (i.e., parafunctional habits, trauma, orthodontics, or orthognathic surgery) can reinitiate the resorption process later in life.

The recommended treatment protocol for definitive management is

(1) removal of hyperplastic synovial tissue that is inducing the resorption.

(2) disk repositioning and ligament repair; and

(3) orthognathic surgery (Condylectomy and reconstruction with costochondral graft). This corrects the functional and aesthetic facial deformity.

Early treatment is recommended in this condition so that all symptoms and morbidity can be avoided and the disease process is eliminated.

Maintain caution against embarking on “any expensive, irreversible treatment” before a thorough diagnosis is completed. Treatment should be determined through consultation with a dental professional highly experienced in temporomandibular joint problems.

You might consider to take a second opinion in case of any doubt.

I hope this helps.

Hi, im a 19 year old male and i have been undergoing treatment for tmj problems for two years. I got punched in the face and a year later my disc displaced in my right jaw joint. My doctor thinks that when i got hit, the growth centre in my right joint stopped and so the joint stopped growing, therefore a shorter condyle and displaced disc!
However i have just found out about ICR and i think that i may have it. An xray shows a smaller right condyle and an MRi shows a displaced disc.
But, my bite has changed alot in two years, i have left open bite now and its because the right condyle is shorter im convinced!
But im from the uk, how do i go about diagnosing this and looking for treatment?
I have heard about a doctor in america who uses the treatment you are suggesting, but how do i get a diagnosis?
Most of the dentists, doctors over here seem pretty clueless about this condition and at the moment i have got a stabelisation splint to balance my bite.

Kind regards, Rob