Treatment of end stage temporomandibular joint disorder using a temporomandibular joint total prosthesis: The Slovenian experience.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to analyse treatment results after alloplastic temporomandibular joint replacement surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve patients who met the inclusion criteria underwent operation between the years 2012 and 2016 at the Department of Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery of the University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia. Seven patients had posttraumatic sequelae, 4 osteoarthritis and 1 psoriatic arthritis. We inserted 12 temporomandibular joint prostheses (Biomet- Lorenz). A retrograde analysis of the patients, subjective assessment of the pre- and postoperative temporomandibular pain, opening the mouth, the ability to chew food, and quality of life (VAS scale, 0-10) was performed. Additionally, we evaluated the inter-incisal distance pre- and postoperatively. Complications that occurred were also included in our evaluation.

RESULTS: During final examinations, at least 15 months after the surgery (on average 39.5 months), we observed an improved ability to open the mouth in all patients. The average preoperative inter-incisal distance was 22 mm (15-30 mm); the average postoperative distance was 37.5 mm (32.3-1.8 mm), (p < 0.001). The analysis of pain and other subjective variables (opening the mouth, the ability to chew, quality of life) showed a statistically significant improvement (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: According to our initial experience, replacement of the temporomandibular joint with a total prosthesis is a safe and effective treatment method.