Clinical outcome of total alloplastic temporomandibular joint reconstruction in cases of recurrent ankylosis with emphasis on pitfalls: A retrospective analysis

Abstract

AimThe present study is designed to evaluate the pitfalls and complications in treatment of recurrent TM Joint Ankylosis cases using total alloplastic joint replacement. Materials and methodsData was analyzed retrospectively in terms of maximum mouth opening, deviation during opening of mouth, heterotrophic bone formation, peri-joint infection, and intraoral exposure of joint, post-surgery malocclusion, contralateral TMJ pain. Results12 patients (15 joints) of TMJ ankylosis were treated with TMJ replacement in our department. Mean pre-operative maximum inter-incisal mouth opening was 3.92 mm (SD ± 1.73). Post op mean inter-incisal opening three month, six month and one year were 31.59 mm, (SD ± 3.15) 32.25 mm(SD ± 1.82), 32.67 mm (SD ± 2.19)respectively. There were 2 cases of malocclusion, 1 case of infection and 1 case of intra-oral exposure of joint. ConclusionThe success rate available in literature for use of alloplastic joint replacement in treatment of end stage TMJ disorders which includes a large area of different types of temporomandibular joint disorders cannot be implicated. In our study we found complication free success rate of 67%. A large study focusing specifically on use of alloplastic joints in recurrent ankylosis cases is needed for the subcontinent.