Dislocation of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is troublesome condition which was most commonly shown far anteriorly displaced mandibular condyle to the articular eminence, thereby make it impossible to close one's mouth. It is often referred to as 'open lock' in clinically. Although anatomical modification of the articular eminence through eminectomy has been considered most satisfactory and efffective treatment for managing the recurrent dislocation, it seldom performs clinically due to its

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... siveness and patient's reluctance. We thought a shortterm intermaxillary fixation could be of benefit to the patient suffering from recurrent dislocation. A 21-year-old male patient with recurrent TMJ dislocation which had developed after excessive mouth opening, was successfully treated with intermaxillay fixation using microimplant for 2 months. It is more conservative and less complicated method than eminectomy in treating recurrent TMJ dislocation. Transient intermaxillary fixation using microimplant and elastics could be one of treatment options for recurrent TMJ dislocation. injured joint lose its function as passive restrictors and the masticatory muscles lose coordination during mouth opening and closing. In addition, specific anatomic characteristics of TMJ such as steepness of the articular eminence and joint laxity may predispose a patient to TMJ dislocation. A TMJ articular eminence which showed "short steep posterior slope" and "long flat anterior slope" was generally regarded vulnerable to dislocation. 2) In treating recurrent TMJ dislocation, behavioral modification is the primary treatment option. However, if the patient's hazardous habit could not be managed, additional methods should be considered to restrict mouth opening precisely. Although many treatment modalities have been suggested in the literature, 3,4) only surgical alteration of TMJ called eminectomy or eminoplasty has been regarded as definitive in treating TMJ dislocation. 5) No satisfactory Case Report