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Pediatric oral and maxillofacial surgery is a vital component of oral and maxillofacial surgery. This issue is unique because it is the first devoted solely to pediatric temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. Its purpose is to introduce this important topic to surgeons who provide care to children. My hope is that this issue will provide information as well as stimulate further discussion. While certain aspects of pediatric TMJ care overlap with adult care, there are distinct considerations in children. This issue begins with a discussion of growth and development of the TMJ (Bender, Lipin, and Goudy). In order to understand the differences between care for the pediatric and adult TMJ, clinical (Horswell and Sheikh) and radiographic (Hammer and Kanaan) evaluations of a child with TMJ complaints are reviewed. Nonsurgical management of the pediatric TMJ (Scrivani, Khawaja, and Bavia) adds information regarding this important adjunct to surgical intervention. Trauma to the pediatric TMJ (Bae and Aronovich) and tumors of the pediatric TMJ (Bouloux, Roser, and Abramowicz) illustrate areas with specific pediatric considerations. Congenital abnormalities of the TMJ (Galea, Dashow, and Woerner), acquired abnormalities of the TMJ (Chouinard, Kaban, and Peacock), and treatment of the TMJ in a child with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (Granquist) demonstrate areas where deviations from normal growth must be carefully monitored. Finally, TMJ reconstruction in the growing child (Resnick) has important long-term implications.
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