Deterioration of temporary silicone implant in the temporomandibular joint: a clinical and arthroscopic follow-up study

Dacron-reinforced silicone material was used as a temporary disk replacement implant in twenty-seven consecutive patients who underwent diskectomy. Symptoms and the status of the implants were recorded when the implants were removed 1 to 19 months postoperatively (median, 4 months). At the time of removal of the implants, eleven patients showed mechanical dysfunction, which was associated with pain in four patients. All but one of the implants showed wearing facets, and fifteen implants were cracked or perforated. Arthroscopic examination was performed when the implant was removed in the last six patients. This revealed that the extension of the joint compartment corresponded well to the dimension of the implant. Arthroscopy also disclosed that initially even and shiny articular surfaces remained so, articular surfaces in joints with fibrous ankylosis became shiny but uneven, and arthrotic articular surfaces showed no changes. It was concluded that disk-replacement implants can prevent postoperative ingrowth of fibrous tissue and development of intra-articular adhesions and that the implant has the capacity to protect the articular surfaces as long as the material is intact. Since more than half of the implants were cracked or perforated, an implant material with mechanical properties superior to those of Dacron-reinforced silicone would be preferable.     

Inverted, T-shaped silicone implant for the treatment of temporomandibular joint ankylosis

Reconstruction of the ankylosed temporomandibular joint is a challenging task. Speech impairment, difficulties with mastication, poor oral hygiene, facial asymmetry, and mandibular micrognathia results in physical and psychologic disabilities. Various surgical techniques with varying success rates have been reported. Many autogenous and alloplastic materials have been proposed. The authors used an inverted, T-shaped silicone implant for the reconstruction of the temporomandibular joint after the release of the ankylosis in 10 patients without any complications in the postoperative period. The authors assert that the reconstruction of the ankylosed temporomandibular joint with an inverted, T-shaped silicone implant is a reliable and effective alternative. This technique can be used according to the special requirements of each patient and obviating the need for the fixation of the implant and is a safer and better way of using silicone for the treatment of temporomandibular joint ankylosis.     

Multicenter evaluation of temporomandibular joint Proplast-Teflon disk implant.

Seven oral and maxillofacial surgeons from all U.S. American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons districts participated in a retrospective study of Proplast II Teflon interpositional implants that were placed after meniscectomy in 680 TMJs (465 patients) and followed from 6 to 76 months. At longest follow-up a relatively high number (85.9%) 584 of 680 implants were in place with an average weighted follow-up of nearly 32 months. Of these 584 joints, a very high number, 540, (92.4%) were asymptomatic, however, 224 asymptomatic and 25 symptomatic joints with the implants in place exhibited some degree of condyle resorption that included 45 with malocclusion. In the worst case scenario, if condylar resorption is indicative of a worn Proplast II Teflon interpositional implant, then 364 (54%) of the 680 implants may fail. Failure rates per year range from Vitek's reported 3% to an average 18% clinician report in the literature. Higher rates are reported by individual clinicians, and our recent in vitro wear tests of Proplast II Teflon interpositional implants suggest an in vivo service life of only 3 years. Because no one has reported follow-up beyond 5 years, the long term performance and survival of any of these implants is doubtful. Asymptomatic patients should be evaluated yearly with tomography, CT, or MRI. Symptomatic patients should be evaluated every 4 to 6 months. Implant removal should be recommended if occlusal changes or condyle/fossa articular bone changes are active past the time of expected remodeling from surgery. This report summarizes the success/failure incidence from the literature and makes recommendations on follow-up, removal, and repair surgery.     

Modifications of the inverted T-shaped silicone implant for treatment of temporomandibular joint ankylosis.

PURPOSE: Inverted T-shaped silicone implants have been used for reconstruction of ankylosed temporomandibular joints for 10 years. As the implant is custom made during the operation, dimensional adjustments according to individual need are routine. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A new modification to increase the stability of the inverted T-shaped silicone implant is presented. The modification consists of a middle process on the long arm of the T-shaped silicone implant, the first of which was inserted into the medullary cavity of the mandibular ramus. This modification further stabilizes the implant position and helps prevent its displacement. The modification was used on difficult cases such as bilateral ankylosis, osteotomies below the condylar notch or incompliant patients. This modification was used in six patients. RESULTS: No dislocation, nor extrusion of the implant or re-ankylosis of TMJ was observed.     

Temporomandibular joint diskectomy. No positive effect of temporary silicone implant in a 5-year follow-up.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term clinical and radiologic effects of a temporary silicone implant after diskectomy of the temporomandibular joint. Forty-three temporomandibular joints in 43 patients with painful disk displacement underwent a diskectomy. A sheet of medical-grade silicone was temporarily placed in 22 patients; 21 patients did not receive an implant. The patients were clinically and radiologically examined 5 years after surgery. On the basis of symptoms and jaw function, they were classified as having good (30 patients), acceptable (8 patients), and bad (5 patients) results. All the patients with bad results and five of the eight patients with acceptable results had received implants. Erosive changes of the condyle or fossa were seen radiographically at follow-up in eight patients, each of whom had received an implant. No positive clinical or radiologic effects of the implants could be identified. The use of a temporary silicone implant after diskectomy of the temporomandibular joint in patients with internal derangement should be seriously questioned.     

Destructive lesions of the mandibular condyle following diskectomy with temporary silicone implant

Dacron-reinforced silicone is widely used as disk-replacement implant material in the temporomandibular joint. A retrospective radiographic analysis was undertaken in a series of thirty-two patients on whom diskectomy had been performed. Twenty patients had received temporary silicone implants, whereas twelve patients had surgery without disk-replacement implants. Six of the patients with implants had destructive lesions of the mandibular condyles at follow-up examinations, but no such lesions were seen in any of the patients who had surgery without implants. Histologic analysis of material removed from one patient who had a second operation showed multiple particles of foreign material surrounded by focally marked inflammatory reaction with foreign body granulomas. The underlying cartilage and bone showed focal resorption and bone destruction. Electron microscopy combined with energy-dispersive x-ray microanalysis showed that the foreign material contained silicone. It was concluded that the radiographically observed destructive lesions of the mandibular condyle may be a sign of a reactive synovitis induced by silicone particles abraded from the silicone implant.     

化脓性颞下颌关节炎的内镜诊断和治疗

目的：探讨化脓性颞下颌关节炎内镜诊断和治疗的临床应用价值。方法：收集我院因化脓性颞下颌关节炎而行关节镜治疗的7例患者,对其临床表现、影像学特点、内镜下表现和治疗方法进行总结分析。结果：化脓性颞下颌关节炎的主要临床症状为关节区疼痛和开口困难;5例患者行磁共振成像,4例显示关节腔积液;2例患者行CT扫描,均显示关节周围间隙蜂窝织炎;7例患者均行内镜检查,2例急性期患者表现为滑膜肿胀和充血,5例慢性期患者主要表现为广泛黏连、软骨破坏和骨质缺损,3例患者关节盘穿孔,2例被诊断为纤维性强直。化脓性颞下颌关节炎内镜治疗方法主要为灌洗、黏连松解和关节面清理术。平均随访期57.4个月,术后无复发。结论：内镜被证实是诊治化脓性颞下颌关节炎的一种有效方法,尤其适用于慢性期患者。     

Total temporomandibular joint reconstruction with a Delrin titanium implant.

Numerous alloplastic materials have been used for partial or total reconstruction of the temporomandibular joint in patients with fibrous or bony ankylosis, severe degenerative joint disease, or traumatic deformity, and for reconstruction following tumor resection and corrective surgery following multiple arthroplasties. We have had initial success with the use of a polyoxymethylene (Delrin) condylar head affixed to a pure titanium mesh for these reconstructive procedures. This versatile prosthesis does not require use of a separate glenoid fossa prosthesis. The surgical technique, as well as a historical perspective on alloplastic total joint prostheses used to date, is described in several patients.     

The comparison of outcomes of surgically treated bilateral temporomandibular joint disorder in different groups: A retrospective study

Objectives: The main purpose of this study was to determine the prognosis and outcomes of the patients with bilateral temporomandibular disorder which underwent bilateral temporomandibular joint surgery in a consecutive number of patients in a retrospective study. Study Design: Sixty five patients with 130 bilateral TMJ were included the study with the selection from consecutive 256 TMJ patients who were treated with open surgery who do not respond to conservative treatment. 65 patients were divided in to 3 main groups according to the clinical diagnosis of bilateral TMJ site. In the first group comprised 29 patients with 48 TMJ, the clinical diagnosis was bilaterally presence of anterior disc displacement with reduction (ADDR). In the second group comprised 19 patients with 26 TMJ, bilateral presence of TMD consisted of anterior disc displacement without reduction (ADDNR) on both site. In the third group comprised 27 patients with 46 TMJ, bilaterally presence of TMD consist of ADDR on one site and ADDNR on another site. The patients in three different groups were operated either high condylectomy alone or high condylectomy with additional surgical procedures. Results: In the evaluation of pain relief, clicking, crepitation, headache, marked improvement was determined in all groups, but it was statistically insignificant in the comparison of 3 groups. Slight increase in maximal mouth opening was determined in the mean values of the 3 groups and also in the comparison of 3 groups it was not statistically significant. Conclusions: These similar succesfull outcomes of bilateral TMD with the respect of TMJ surgical procedures were obtained in 3 main groups although different diagnosis on the patients’ groups waspresent. Key words:Temporomandibular joint, prognosis, retrospective studies.     

A review of 56 cases of chronic closed lock treated with temporomandibular joint arthroscopy.

PURPOSE: The aims of this prospective clinical study were to look at the features that constitute chronic closed lock of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and to assess the effectiveness of TMJ arthroscopic lavage and lysis in the management of this condition. PATIENTS AND MATERIALS: Sixty joints in 56 patients who presented with mandibular hypomobility suggestive of chronic closed lock were prospectively examined and treated with TMJ arthroscopic lavage and lysis during a 3-year period from 1996 to 1999. RESULTS: Eighty-seven percent (49 of 56) of patients were found to have chronic closed lock of the TMJ. The most common intra-articular findings were fibrillation (76%) and synovitis (54%). TMJ arthroscopic lavage and lysis were found to be effective in the management of chronic closed lock in 84% (47 of 56) of patients, with an average 66% reduction in pain levels and a mean improvement of 9.8 mm in interincisal mouth opening up to 6 weeks after the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic mandibular hypomobility is a clinical sign that is often but not always caused by chronic closed lock of the TMJ. The intra-articular findings of this study suggest that cartilage degradation and synovial inflammation are important components of chronic closed lock of the TMJ that respond well to arthroscopic lavage. Patients with mandibular hypomobility not caused by closed lock of the TMJ (ie, myofascial pain and dysfunction, osteoarthrosis, and others) are less likely to derive benefit from arthroscopic lavage and lysis, so other treatment methods should be considered.     

Long-term evaluation of single-puncture temporomandibular joint arthrocentesis in patients with unilateral temporomandibular disorders

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term effects of the single-puncture arthrocentesis (SPA) technique. Forty-two patients with unilateral temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs) were treated by SPA. Thirty-eight of these patients completed 1–24 months of follow-up (short-term group) and 21 completed 11 months or longer of follow-up (long-term group). The two groups were evaluated statistically for pain (visual analogue scale), maximum mouth opening, lateral excursion, and protrusion. Both follow-up duration groups showed significant improvements when compared to baseline levels for almost all of the outcome variables (P < 0.05). Single puncture temporomandibular joint arthrocentesis is an effective treatment method over both the short and long term.     

Clinical evaluation of patients with temporomandibular joint implants

PURPOSE: An undetermined number of patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) symptoms have been treated with intra-articular disc implants composed of Teflon ethylene/propylene or Teflon polytetrafluoroethylene and aluminum oxide (Proplast-Teflon; Vitek, Houston, TX). These implants have shown the potential to fragment in situ resulting in nonbiodegradable particles that stimulate a giant cell reaction and lead to degeneration of local structures, pain, and limitation of mandibular opening. We examined the possible relationship between TMJ implants and persistent pain, responses to sensory stimuli, quality of life, and systemic immune dysfunction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This case series (32 patients) were referred from university-based orofacial pain centers and private practices from across the United States. Laboratory and clinical assessments evaluated orofacial pain symptoms, neurologic function, clinical signs and symptoms of rheumatologic disease, physical function, systemic measures of immune function, and behavioral measures. RESULTS: We found that TMJ implant patients appeared to have altered sensitivity to sensory stimuli, a higher number of tender points with a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, increased self-report of chemical sensitivity, higher psychologic distress and significantly lower functional ability. Systemic illness or autoimmune disease was not evident in this series of TMJ implant patients. CONCLUSIONS: Significant problems were noted on clinical assessment of TMJ implant patients. This is a US government work. There are no restrictions on its use.     

An evaluation of temporomandibular joint sounds

The purpose of this study was to obtain authoritative opinion on the importance of joint noises. Experts in the areas of orthopedics, rheumatology, and arthritis were asked four questions to evaluate the importance of clicking and crepitus in joints other than the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The general response of these experts indicated that clicking in the absence of other symptoms is not important, clicking in the presence of other symptoms may be important, crepitus in the absence of other symptoms may be important, and crepitus in the presence of other symptoms is important. Caution is advised in treating clicking when it is the only sign.     

改良切口关节盘锚固术治疗颞下颌关节盘不可复性前移位的临床评价

目的: 评价应用改良切口关节盘锚固术治疗颞下颌关节盘不可复性前移位的临床疗效。方法: 选取2014年9月—2016年9月我院颞下颌关节专科就诊的24例（30侧）颞下颌关节紊乱病患者,采用改良切口颞下颌关节盘锚固术进行治疗, 分析术前、术后6个月不同时期患者的疼痛值、开口度的变化及MRI影像学表现,采用SPSS17.0软件包中的t检验评价手术效果。结果: 治疗前平均开口度为（23.63±3.31）mm(17~29 mm),治疗后平均开口度为（38.00±2.30）mm(32~42 mm),治疗后开口度≥35 mm 的患者占 87.5%（21/24）;疼痛直观模拟标尺（visual analogue scale,VAS）值术前为29.76±23.35（0~80）,术后6个月为3.71±7.91（0~50）,术后6个月的开口度及VAS值均与治疗前有显著差异（P<0.05）。MRI影像学评价有效率达96.67%（29/30侧）,所有病例均无并发症发生。结论: 颞下颌关节盘锚固术能有效治疗颞下颌关节盘不可复性前移位,在复位关节盘的前提下,显著改善开口度和缓解疼痛。     

Arteriovenous fistula after temporomandibular joint arthroscopy successfully treated with embolization

Temporomandibular joint arthoscopy is a minimal invasive surgical procedure commonly used to effectively treat some internal derangement of the TMJ. However, this method is not free of complications. Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is a lesion that communicates the high flow arterial system and the low flow venous network. We describe a new case of preauricular traumatic AVF successfully treated with external carotid embolization, along with a review of the medical literature.