Total alloplastic reconstruction of the temporomandibular joint. Up to 6 years of follow-up of patients treated with Biomet ® stock prostheses

Abstract

15 patients underwent temporomandibular joint (TMJ) reconstruction with Biomet stock total joint prostheses. Indications for TMJ reconstruction included ankylosis, rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative joint disease and condylar resorption, Jaw Tumors and Trauma. Five patients had unilateral procedures, eleven had bilateral. The follow-up ranged between 18 months and 6 years. Amongst the ankylotic patients the mean jaw-opening capacity increased from 3.7 mm preoperatively to 23 mm 1 year after surgery, and in most of those patients the opening capacity remained stable over the years. The other patients maintained a mean opening capacity of more than 35 mm. Joint related pain and interference with eating were eliminated after TMJ reconstruction. There were no permanent facial nerve disturbance, no postoperative infections and no device related complications. The outcome supports prosthetic TMJ reconstruction as a useful treatment modality in patients with advanced TMJ disease.