An evaluation of clinical outcome of total alloplastic temporomandibular joint replacement and costochondral graft in temporomandibular joint ankylosis cases – A retrospective study

Abstract

Background: The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis management incorporates various modalities. Total alloplastic temporomandibular joint replacement (TJR) has opened a new avenue in TMJ reconstruction. Costochondral grafts (CCGs) are the gold standard treatment option. Aim: This study was designed to compare the clinical outcome between total alloplastic TJR and CCG in TMJ ankylosis cases. Materials and Methods: The retrospective data of patients were collected between 2017 and 2020. A total of 12 TJR cases and 8 cases of CCG were included in the study. Maximum mouth opening was recorded in mm and pain score/diet score was recorded on a Visual Analog Score system where 0 was no pain/normal diet and 10 was worse pain/liquid diet. The data were statistically analyzed using the “two-sample t-test (Welch's t-test).” Results: The mean interincisal opening in the TJR group was 32.67 (±2.19) and in the CCG group was 33.71 (±4.77). The pain reduction score was better in the TJR group with 0.5 (±0.90) and the diet score was better in the CCG group with 0.714 (±0.95). Conclusion: The stock TJR devices have a predictable outcome with a good pain reduction score and an acceptable diet score; however, the autogenous CCG is still better in terms of maximum mouth opening. Although failed CCG cases can be taken up for further correction with the TJR.