Bilateral condylar resorption in down syndrome

Asymptomatic idiopathic condylar resorption is a rare disease of difficult diagnosis and treatment. We review the literature about this rare condition and report a case of a patient, affected by Down syndrome, who underwent a complete untreated bilateral condylar resorption in adolescence and then developed pain on chewing only 20 years later. Despite a precise orthodontic and surgical therapeutic plan, treatment had to be discontinued because of patient lack of compliance. This case is the first of its kind to be reported and emphasizes the need for special attention in patients with disability.