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OBJECTIVE: Various surgical techniques to release temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis have been described in the literature. The purpose of this paper is to report our Institution’s experience regarding the post-surgical outcome of different surgical techniques for the release of ankylosis of the TMJ. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The records from our hospital of 386 patients (521 joints) treated for TMJ ankylosis were reviewed. Data analysis included the etiology of TMJ ankylosis, gender distribution, age group, distribution of ankylosis based on location, type, interincisal opening and complications in the perioperative period. RESULTS: Out of 521 joints, 65.02% were unilateral and 73.89% had bony ankylosis. The mean maximal incisal opening preoperative was 5.4 mm (SD 3.63 mm) and at 1-year follow-up was 36.9 mm (SD 3.3 mm). There was no permanent facial nerve paralysis. However, transient facial nerve paresis was 14.78%. There was an overall recurrence rate of 8.82%. CONCLUSION: We conclude that after TMJ ankylosis release with interpositional arthroplasty, reconstruction of the RCU with L ramus osteotomy is the most favorable. This procedure not only causes least complications, but also maintains height of ramus, facilitating surgeries for secondary asymmetry correction.

INTRODUCTION: A plethora of surgical options have been described in the literature for the management of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis, but one cannot subscribe to a modality that is infallible in regard to recurrence. The incidence of recurrence is attributed to poor surgical technique and poor patient compliance. This article proposes incorporation of subtle modifications into the surgical techniques that could prove to be helpful in the management and prevention of reankylosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one patients with TMJ ankylosis with an age range of 10–29 years (mean age 19 years) were operated, of whom six (28.5%) were bilateral and 15 unilateral (71.5%), and 14 (66.6%) had a history of previous surgery for ankylosis. The preoperative and intraoperative mean inter-incisal opening (MIO) was 4.4 mm and 43.2 mm, respectively. All patients fared well at the late postoperative evaluation at 24 months with a mean MIO of 36.9 mm. CONCLUSION: The subtle modifications address various aspects such as the adequacy of the preauricular approach, the use of a wide flame-shaped bur, the obliquity of the arthroplastic osteotomy, burnishing the residual ramal stump devoid of irrigation, temporalis muscle release and coronoidectomy, aggressive intermittent intraoperative jaw physiotherapy, mandatory use of a vacuum drain and rigorous postoperative jaw physiotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Temporomandibular joint ankylosis-associated deformity and dysfunction is a challenge to reconstruct. Alloplastic temporomandibular joints, both stock and custom-made, are used to replace the ankylotic mass with a functional joint. Still, the cost of these alloplastic joints is so expensive that it cannot be affordable to most of our population. PURPOSE: A primary objective of achieving at least 35 mm of mouth opening was planned. Secondarily we planned to achieve a functional occlusion with acceptable facial balance and symmetry. METHOD: Autologous TMJ reconstruction using vascularized second metatarsal joint transfer with concomitant orthognathic surgery. The surgery aims to achieve a significant functional rehabilitation with correction of maxillomandibular deformity in a single-stage surgery. RESULTS: As a result of this, we present our initial experience to rehabilitate the patient with temporomandibular joint ankylosis both functionally and aesthetically by performing simultaneously joint replacement using the patient’s own vascularized second metatarsal joint and concomitantly performing the orthognathic surgery. By this, we could holistically treat the patient with minimal cost and make them socially acceptable. CONCLUSION: We do not propose a 2nd metatarsal vascularized flap as a substitute for a custom-made total TMJ prosthesis. Still, we suggest a viable option in a selected set of patients where TMJ prosthesis cannot be afforded or has failed with a history of multiple surgeries in the same region.

Hypermobility disorders of the Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can be treated by both conservative and surgical approaches. Conservative approaches should be considered as first line treatment for such disorders. Prolotherapy with 25 % dextrose being injected into the posterior pericapsular tissues is one such treatment modality with favorable outcomes. To study the efficacy of single injection of 25 % dextrose in pericapsular tissues in the management of hypermobility joint disorders of TMJ as first line treatment. We have studied a total of 23 patients suffering from either chronic recurrent dislocation or subluxation of the TMJ who were treated with the single injection technique prolotherapy with 25 % dextrose into the pericapsular tissues along with auriculotemporal nerve block and found encouraging results. Overall success rate in our study was 91.3 % (21/23) with a minimum follow up period of 13.9 months. Number of successfully treated patients requiring one injection was 7 (30.4 %), two injections was 8 (34.7 %) and requiring three injections was 6 (26.1 %). There were no permanent complications. Hence the use of 25 % dextrose as a proliferant to treat hypermobilty disorders of the TMJ is recommended by us as a first line treatment option as it is safe, economical and an easy procedure associated with minimal morbidity.

The objective of this study was to determine average improvement during the rest and active mouth opening after ultrasound guided platelets rich plasma injection in the tempromandibular superior joint space for the patients complaining from non-reducing disk displacement.Thirty-four patients with non-reducing disk displacement underwent guided ultrasound injection of platelet rich plasma to the upper joint space. The extent of maximal mouth opening, chewing efficiency, sound intensity of the TMJ, and tenderness of the TMJ and the masticatory muscles at rest, motion and mastication were thoroughly assessed at the beginning of the study and scheduled for next follow-up at 1st, 3rd, and 6th months.Injection with platelets rich plasma was significantly more effective in improvements of the extent of maximal mouth opening, statistics result demonstrated a significant reduction in the VAS values of pain at rest, motion and mastication compared to the baseline VAS values.PRP injection to the upper temporomandibular joint space provided improvement in signs and symptoms of patient with non-reducing disk displacement of the temporomandibular joint.

To asses the fate of the costochondral graft (CCG) used to stimulate mandibular growth in the management of Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) reconsrtuction in ankylosis—histologically. Ten patients who had undergone CCG grafting for TMJ ankylosis between 1994–2009 in the department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Tamil Nadu Govt Dental College and Hospital, Chennai and had come back with reankylosis, were surgically explored and the graft along with the ankylotic mass was excised and evaluated histologically. There is no documented human study and clinically it is not possible. Histological evaluation revealed the presence of osseous tissue, fibrous tissue and osteocytes but no evidence of any chondroid tissue. Our study showing the absence of chondroid tissue raises the question on the rationale of CCG in TMJ reconstruction when other interpositional gap arthroplasty can achieve a disease free joint.

Treatment of bony Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Ankylosis includes release of the ankylosis and creation of a gap with or without insertion of interposing material and complete reconstruction of the joint using e.g. costochondral, autogenous coronoid/ankylosed mass, sternoclavicular, clavicular bone grafts etc. As these are non-pedicled grafts, there is eventual resorption with subsequent decrease in height of the ramus, facial asymmetry, deviated mouth opening and reankylosis. The authors have applied the method of vertical ramus osteotomy (VRO) on the posterior border of the mandibular ramus for reconstruction of the ramus condyle unit (RCU) as a pedicled graft along with Myofascial Temporalis Interposition for the correction of TMJ Ankylosis.Ten patients of TMJ Ankylosis were included in this study. All ten patients were treated using VRO for the RCU reconstruction with posterior border of mandibular ramus after Gap Arthroplasty. Temporalis myofascial flap was used as an interpositional material in all patients. Patients were followed from 20 to 30 months (mean 24 months).As a result of successful procedure the post-operative maximal mouth opening of 32-45 mm (mean 37 mm) was achieved. No patient experienced pain and infection at surgical site. None of the patients had graft rejection and reankylosis at follow-up.The results showed that VRO on the posterior border of the mandibular ramus seems to be an alternative and promising method for RCU reconstruction in patients with TMJ Ankylosis.

While India boasts the largest collective experience in the surgical management of TMJ ankylosis, times are changing and Indian Surgeons will need to begin thinking about other TMJ disorders that have previously gone under the radar. A growing Indian middle class with greater access to health facilities will demand treatment for TMJ disorders like myofacial pain and dysfunction, internal derangement and osteoarthrosis which Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons must be prepared to manage. The aim of this paper is to review the role of TMJ surgery and its place in the treatment armamentarium of temporomandibular disorders. Indications, rationale for surgery, risks vs benefits are discussed and complemented with examples of clinical cases treated by the author. As India moves up the economic ladder of success, TMJ disorders that have largely been confined to Western nations will begin to appear in the rising middle classes of India. Indian Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons must be prepared to recognize and manage disorders which present with more complex symptomatology where the role of TMJ surgery is less clear cut.

INTRODUCTION: The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a complex joint, and it allows bilateral synchronous rotatory and translatory movements. TMJ reconstruction has evolved as an important step in the management of conditions affecting the TMJ like ankylosis, traumatic injuries and congenital deformities. Distraction osteogenesis (DO) is a biological process of forming new bone and adjacent soft tissues by gradual and controlled traction applied on osteotomized bone segments. CASE REPORT: Here is a case report of bilateral TMJ ankylosis which was managed effectively by resection of ankylotic mass and reconstruction of TMJ by transport distraction osteogenesis with preoperative vector planning using a 3D printed model. CONCLUSION: Distraction osteogenesis can be considered as an effective means of condylar reconstruction for an anatomical and functional TMJ with minimal complications. Use of 3D models can help making such complex TMJ reconstruction procedures simpler.

Various surgical modalities have been tried for the correction of chronic recurrent dislocation of the temporomandibular joint. However, most of these techniques are aimed at creating an artificial block or removing any interference in the path of the translating condyle. Chronic dislocation can also be classified as meniscotemporal and menisocondylar, depending upon whether the dislocation occurs between the condyle–disc unit and temporal bone (meniscotemporal), or between the disc and condyle (meniscocondylar). Very few procedures address the primary issue of a malpositioned disc, which is the cause of meniscocondylar dislocation. This study was conducted on 17 patients (27 joints) who reported with chronic dislocation of the temporomandibular joint, with MRI-proven meniscocondylar dislocation. After exposure of the condyle and disc through a standard pre-auricular incision, an orthodontic mini-screw was fixed to the posterior aspect of the condylar head and a 1-0 Prolene suture passed through the screw-head eyelet, plicating the posterior edge of the disc to the condyle. This ensured that the condyle and disc would move in unison. All the patients showed improvement in their symptoms of dislocation in the postoperative period, including seven patients in whom only a unilateral procedure was carried out. None of the patients had any recurrence till the 1-year followup. Our procedure addresses the fundamental etiology of meniscocondylar dislocation by anchoring the disc to the condyle by using an orthodontic mini-implant and correcting the condyle–disc disharmony. This technique is reliable, technically feasible, and cost-effective in the Indian set up.

TMJ ankylosis is one of the most disruptive anomaly that affects the masticatory system. The inability to move the mandible has significant functional ramification, such as the inability to eat a normal diet. Additionally, speech is affected, making it difficult for some individuals to communicate and express themselves to others. As there are several biologic and anatomic similarities to the mandibular condyles, autogenous costochondral grafts have been considered to be the most acceptable tissue for temporomandibular joint reconstruction. In addition donor site complications are infrequent and regeneration of the rib usually occurs within a year post operatively in children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the function of costochondral grafts to replace the mandibular condyles and to assess the position, growth, overgrowth, function, success, failure and resorption of costochondral grafts. Ten TMJ ankylosis patients were operated in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Institute of Dental Sciences, Bareilly. Out of the 10 cases 6 were male patients and 4 female patients in age group of ≤14 years; of which 8 patients were of unilateral TMJ ankylosis and 2 were of bilateral TMJ ankylosis. All ten patients underwent interpositional gap arthroplasty with reconstruction of the condyle by costochondral graft. All patients with costochondral grafts had improved mandibular symmetry and growth with adequate mouth opening. This study indicates that using costochondral grafts to reconstruct TMJ ankylosis in children provides a good result.

Facial pain associated with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and surrounding structures has been a challenge to clinicians as far as diagnosis and management is concerned. Complexity of anatomical structures within a small area, function of teeth and surrounding periodontal ligament, action of muscles, pathologies, lack of diagnostic investigations, all these complicate specific diagnosis of TMJ disorders. Various classifications have been designed and studied to help diagnose and treat TMJ related disorders, of which the simplest one is pain from TMJ proper and surrounding muscles. Many treatment modalities to treat pain arising from muscles around TMJ like splints, mouth restriction exercises, injection of sclerosing agents etc. have been used with various degrees of success. Botulinum toxin has been shown to be effective in the treatment of oro-facial pain due to muscular disorders and the same is discussed in detail in this review literature.

This study aimed to carry out a case-control research study to assess occurrence of clicking of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in order to establish the relationship between TMJ clicking and the genotype of “ANKH inorganic pyrophosphate transport regulator” (ANKH) polymorphisms. A sample of 41 first-year dental residents was selected. Each was examined using standard clinical procedures and genotyping techniques. The participation rate was 91.8 %. The prevalence of TMJ clicking was 51.2 % (95 % CI: 35.7–66.7 %). Occurrence of TMJ clicking was not related to age, gender and genotypes of ANKH-OR as well as ANKH-TR polymorphisms (p ≥ 0.165). A similar distribution of ANKH genotypes in TMJ clicking and asymptomatic individuals has been demonstrated by this study. A high percentage of TMJ clicking has been confirmed. Future investigations are indicated.

The conventional management of fibrous extracapsular temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis, a debilitating disease, is associated with surgical complications and financial burden on the patients.To assess the outcome of conservative approach to the management of fibrous extracapsular TMJ ankylosis.This is a prospective study of patients who presented at the Dental and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Nigeria, during the period from January 1999 to December 2012 with a history of inability to open the mouth diagnosed as fibrous extracapsular TMJ ankylosis.Twenty-one subjects were treated and their ages ranged from 11 to 22 years with mean at 15.0 years. There were 13 (61.9 %) males and 8 (38.1 %) females with male: female ratio of 1.6:1. The aetiological factor that predisposed to formation of extracapsular TMJ ankylosis was facial trauma. There was no facial asymmetry and the side distribution of the affliction showed that 1 (4.8 %) was bilateral while 20 (95.2 %) were unilateral. Eight cases (38.1 %) were incomplete ankylosis while the rest (n = 13, 61.9 %) were complete. The shorter the duration of fibrous ankylosis and the greater the initial inter-incisal distance before treatment, the better the treatment outcome.The outcome of treatment suggests that the conservative approach to management of this condition was beneficial to these patients because they presented early. However, randomized controlled clinical trials are needed to validate this treatment option.

The study reports the authors’ experience in managing temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis in Chennai, India (1995–2006) and compares the surgical modalities used. Forty-five patients (67 joints) were reviewed in this retrospective study. Pre- and post-operative assessment included history, radiological, physical examination, and range of mouth opening. Age, gender, aetiology, joint(s) affected, surgical modality, complications and follow-up periods were evaluated. Various types (fibrous, fibroosseous and bony) of TMJ ankylosis were diagnosed. Trauma was the commonest aetiology. The patients’ age range was 2–50 years, 51.1 % were males and the follow-up period ranged from 14 to 96 months. Average mouth opening was significantly increased to 32 mm 12 months post-operatively. Mouth opening was compared following different interpositional materials like temporalis interpositioning (33 mm), costochondral graft (30.6 mm) and autograft (30 mm). Minor and major complications were encountered in 37.4 % of cases, including 6.7 % recurrence rate. Early release of TMJ ankylosis; reconstruction of the ramus height with distraction osteogenesis or bone grafting combined with interpositional arthroplasty, followed by vigorous physiotherapy is a successful strategy for the management of TMJ ankylosis.

This study aims to evaluate incidence, patterns and epidemiology of mandibular condylar fractures (MCF) to propose a treatment strategy for managing MCF and analyze the factors which influence the outcome. One hundred and seventy-five MCF’s were evaluated over a four year period and their pattern was recorded in terms of displacement, level of fracture, age of incidence and dental occlusion. Of the 2,718 facial bone fractures, MCF incidence was the third most common at 18.39 %. Of 175 MCF 58.8 % were unilateral and 41.12 % were bilateral. 67 % of bilateral fractures and 43.8 % of unilateral fractures were associated with midline symphysis and contralateral parasymphysis fractures respectively. Most of the MCF was seen in the age group of above 16 years and 50 % of them were at subcondylar level (below the neck of the condyle). Majority of MCF sustained due to inter personal violence were undisplaced (72.7 %) and contrary to this majority of MCF sustained during road traffic accident were displaced. 62.9 % of total fractures required open reduction and rigid fixation and 37.1 % were managed with closed reduction. 80 % of MCF managed with closed reduction were in the age group of below 16 years. From this study it can be concluded that the treatment algorithm proposed for managing MCF is reliable and easy to adopt. We observed that absolute indication for open reduction of MCF is inability to achieve satisfactory occlusion by closed method and absolute contraindication for open reduction is condylar head fracture irrespective of the age of the patient.

Autologous blood injection (ABI) is a conservative, non-surgical method of treating chronic temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dislocation. Although many clinicians have reported positive results, procedural success has not been evaluated according to dislocation type. This study investigated the success of ABI on chronic TMJ dislocation with respect to dislocation frequency. ABI was used to treat 27 joints in 17 patients. The patients were divided into two groups based on dislocation frequency: (A) at least twice a week on different days and (B) at least twice a day. The procedure was successful in 13 of the 15 injected joints (86.6 %) in group A and six of the 12 injected joints (50 %) in group B. This difference was statistically significant (p = 0.03814). Autologous blood injection had limited success in patients with very frequent dislocation, while it was useful for treating less frequently dislocated TMJs.

The term internal derangement was first adopted to describe any pathologic entity that interfered with the smooth function of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The term is currently used exclusively to describe alterations in disc–fossa relations. Internal derangement of the TMJ does not always cause pain, although when the disc becomes displaced, noises and locking can occur and ligamentous, capsular or retrodiscal pain may dominate the clinical picture. Meniscopexy of TMJ was done in ten patients where clinical features suggest true internal derangement of the TMJ refractory to conservative treatment with restricted movement and pain identified as arising primarily from the joint. Magnetic resonance imaging was done to identify the cause of problem.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis involves the fusion of the mandibular condyle to the glenoid fossa, the skull base. The dilemma with regards to treatment planning whether distraction is done before gap arthroplasty or as a simultaneous procedure or after gap arthroplasty is still a controversy. In an attempt to carry out both the procedures simultaneously there is loss of vector control of the distal segment and the risk of pseudoarthrosis at the osteotomy site. This combined problem could be overcome by the use of total alloplastic joint prosthesis which offers a firm posterior stop for the proximal segment and negates aggressive physiotherapy.The reference literatures were retrieved from Pub Med and Science Direct database. Three case reports of bilateral recurrent TMJ ankylosis successfully treated with custom made total TMJ by the authors are illustrated.The purpose of this article is to review the world literature on various alloplastic joints available for TMJ reconstruction and to introduce our indigenous total joint prosthesis in the management of recurrent ankylosis.

Interpositional gap arthroplasty has established itself as the the standard surgical treatment of Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis. The autogenous tissue has replaced the alloplastic and other xenografts materials owing to its bioavailability, easy uptake, and no additional cost. Commonly used autogenous tissue has been temporalis muscle and fascia, fascia lata, skin graft, auricular and costal cartilage, the masseter and/or medial pterygoid muscle. With the turn of the century, TMJ surgeons started using autogenous fat from the lower abdomen and today it has taken over as the most favored autogenous filler material in TMJ ankylosis surgery or total joint replacement (TMJ-TJR). The use of buccal fat pad (BFP) has increased in the last decade due to its local availability and pedicled nature. This paper will discuss various autogenous tissues used in interposition and bring forth the journey of the autogenous fat as the preferred interpositional material now and rest the case in its favor.