Innovative Use of Mouth Props/Bite Blocks in Postoperative Mouth Opening Exercises.

Abstract

Postoperative jaw physiotherapy in the form of mouth opening exercises is an integral part of surgical treatment in oral submucous fibrosis and temporomandibular joint ankylosis. The literature has outlined multiple physical therapy modalities and modifications to aid in assisted mouth-opening exercises. To overcome shortcomings associated with the use of conventional devices, the authors describe an innovative use and modification of a prefabricated soft silicone bite block/mouth prop as an adjunct to the devices to aid in achieving optimal mouth opening.