CASE REPORT   

European Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 2018 August;2(2):38-42

DOI: 10.23736/S2532-3466.18.00137-6

Copyright © 2018 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Total temporomandibular joint replacement with zirconium oxide ceramic prostheses

Kamal T. AFTAN ✉

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Dentistry, University of Anbar, Ramadi, Iraq

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) reconstruction as a result of congenital dysmorphisim, trauma, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthropathy, ankylosis, condylar resorption, neoplasia were attributed to the development of TMJ. In this study, to improve the jaw function and morphology, the zirconium oxide ceramic TMJ prosthesis was used. Three cases of total unilateral joint replacement for TMJ ankyloses and congenital dysmorphisim were described the surgical and post-surgical phases of treatment in patients that treated at the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Al-Ramadi Teaching Hospital. The patient with TMJ ankylosis showed an impact improvement up to about 60% in mouth opening and had no pain on either side at the 1-year follow-up; while the second patient who was with congenital dysmorphisim showed a well demarcated improvement morphologically and functionally at 1.5-year follow-up. The total TMJ replacement was successful. A carefully tailored post-surgical rehabilitation protocol applied and helped the patient to gain a clinically significant improvement in jaw function. Longer follow-up periods are needed to assess the long-term maintenance of results.

KEY WORDS: Ankylosis - Maxillofacial prosthesis implantation - Physical therapy modalities - Zirconium oxide