ABSTRACT
Rationale: Chronic protracted temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dislocation refers to a condition that persists for more than one month without reduction. Patient Concerns: A 47-year-old male patient first presented to the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery complaining of the inability to close his mouth for nine months. Diagnosis: Chronic protracted dislocation of the temporomandibular joint. Treatment: An initial conservative approach was attempted to reduce the condyle, which was unsuccessful. As literature suggests, open-joint surgery with eminectomy and condylectomy of bilateral joints was performed. Outcomes and Take-away Lessons: A stagewise treatment is essential for such cases of long-standing TMJ dislocations. A conservative approach is first attempted followed by surgery if the conservative approach is unsuccessful. Postsurgery physiotherapy is essential for a better prognosis.
