Fracture of the genial tubercles associated with a mandibular denture: a clinical report and review of the literature.

We report a case of fractured genial tubercles associated with a mandibular denture in an elderly female patient and review the literature reports of this condition over the past 50 years. The period without natural teeth and the amount of atrophy of the mandible appear to be associated with the condition, especially when atrophy has reached an extent where the genial tubercles become a direct part of the denture bearing area. The signs and symptoms generally associated with this condition include pain and swelling, haematoma of the floor of the mouth, painful and limited movement of the tongue, dysphagia and painful swallowing, and an obvious experience of discomfort while wearing the lower denture. The radiographic assessment of the mid-line region of the face on conventional radiograph views is often complicated by superimposition of the spine, and therefore computerised or cone-beam volumetric tomography will provide a better view of the fractured segment. The management of the condition is either by conservative care, or by surgical exposure and removal of the fractured tubercles. Irrespective of the chosen mode of treatment, the reports indicate that recovery can be expected to be uneventful in a relatively short period of time. Consensus suggests that the indications for surgical intervention in fractures of the genial tubercles are minimal, as the majority of patients do not require any active treatment and had resolution of their symptoms after conservative management.