Clinical evaluation of TMJ arthroplasties with insertion of articular eminence prosthesis on ninety patients (an eight year study)

Abstract
This paper represents an analysis, accomplished over an eight-year period, of 90 individuals who have been operated on for various arthritic diseases of their temporomandibular joints (TMJ). In arthritic changes of the joint, several changes may occur: perforation of the disc, flattening of the articular eminence, asymmetrical condy-lar movement, and chronic synovitis. This may result in increased synovial pressure on nerve fibers within the capsule of the joint, and a variety of referred pain symptoms. Prior to operation, a careful differential diagnosis was made by an otolaryngologist and, frequently, by a neurologist/neurosurgeon and a psychologist. The prosthesis inserted during surgery was a metallic device which fits over the articular eminence in the upper portion of the joint. This prosthesis accomplishes primarily three functions: elimination of the crepitus; restoration of the contour of the eminence; separation of the articular surfaces of the joint.

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