Oral and maxillofacial surgery: TMJ ankylosis: practice question

A Dentistry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Dentistry · Oral and maxillofacial surgery: TMJ ankylosis

Sample item

A 12-year-old who had a childhood mandibular fracture has progressively limited mouth opening, a receding chin and bird face. Imaging shows a bony mass fusing the condyle to the fossa. What is the treatment?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Gap arthroplasty or interpositional arthroplasty with physiotherapy

TMJ ankylosis after trauma needs surgical release by gap or interpositional arthroplasty followed by early aggressive physiotherapy. Recurrence is a problem unless physiotherapy is maintained.

Option by option

  • A. Muscle relaxants

    Muscle relaxants do not treat bony ankylosis.

  • B. Physiotherapy only

    Physiotherapy alone cannot break bony fusion.

  • C. Gap arthroplasty or interpositional arthroplasty with physiotherapy (correct)

    Correct. Surgical release followed by physiotherapy is the standard.

  • D. Steroid injection

    Steroid injection does not remove bone.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is C, Gap arthroplasty or interpositional arthroplasty with physiotherapy. TMJ ankylosis after trauma needs surgical release by gap or interpositional arthroplasty followed by early aggressive physiotherapy.

Why is "Muscle relaxants" not the answer?

Muscle relaxants do not treat bony ankylosis.

Why is "Physiotherapy only" not the answer?

Physiotherapy alone cannot break bony fusion.

Why is "Steroid injection" not the answer?

Steroid injection does not remove bone.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral and maxillofacial surgery: TMJ ankylosis in Dentistry. Recurrence is a problem unless physiotherapy is maintained.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Oral and maxillofacial surgery: TMJ ankylosis?

Learn the dental formula, eruption ages and tooth structure once, as tables. Then use the flashcards and the other Dentistry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.