Alloplastic Temporomandibular Joint Replacement in Patients With Systemic Inflammatory Arthritis and Connective Tissue Disorders.

PURPOSE: We present a retrospective study to report the outcomes of total temporomandibular joint (TMJ TJR) replacement with alloplastic devices in patients suffering from systemic inflammatory arthropathies. METHODS: A total of 39 patients with a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), psoriatic arthritis (PA), juvenile idiopathic rheumatoid arthritis (JIA), or systemic lupus, underwent alloplastic total joint replacement(s) (TJR) from 1999 to 2019. Maximal interincisal opening (in mm) was recorded before surgery (T0), at 1-year post-surgery (T1) and at last follow-up (T2). A visual analog scale (from 0 to 10) was used for subjective examination of pain before surgery (T0) and at last follow-up (T2). Comparisons were conducted with statistical significance set at P < .05. RESULTS: Seventy-four joints were replaced in 39 patients. Thirty-two were female. The mean age was 36 years old (range 18-61) and the mean follow-up was 45.9 months (SD 49.4). The most common diagnosis was RA (n = 21), followed by JIA (n = 5) and AS (n = 5), PA (n = 4), lupus (n = 3), and mixed connective tissue disorder (n = 1). The mean pain score had fallen from 6.8 (SD 3.2) at T0 to 1.3 (SD 2.4) (P < .001) at T2. The maximal interincisal opening had improved from a mean of 22.1 mm (SD 13.3) at T0 to 34.3 mm (SD 8.5) (P < .001) at T2. One patient got persistent dysesthesia in the V3 distribution. There were no serious late complications. CONCLUSION: Patients suffering from systemic inflammatory arthropathies involving the TMJs can be successfully treated by TJR with alloplastic devices. The long-term reduction of TMJ symptoms and functional improvement in this initial study suggest good predictability for this treatment.

Total Joint Replacement After Condylar Destruction Secondary to Long-Standing Dislocation of the Temporomandibular Joint.

BACKGROUND: To describe the treatment of 2 long-standing chronic dislocation of the temporomandibular joints (TMJs) and 1 chronic recurrent dislocation. METHODS: This report describes the treatment of 3 patients; 2 with a long-standing chronic dislocation of the TMJ and 1 with a chronic recurrent dislocation. Duration of dislocation and anatomical considerations make the treatment challenging and controversial. The patients presented in this report all developed destruction of their condyles. They were successfully treated with total joint replacement with alloplastic devices. RESULTS: All the 3 patients underwent successful surgery and recovery. Mandibular function and pain level were significantly improved. CONCLUSION: Long-standing dislocation of the TMJ is rare. This condition can be successfully treated by resection of the damaged condyles and reconstruction with alloplastic total TMJ replacements.

Treatment of Mandibular Ameloblastoma Involving the Mandibular Condyle: Resection and Concomitant Reconstruction With a Custom Hybrid Total Joint Prosthesis and Iliac Bone Graft.

AIM: To describe the treatment of ameloblastoma involving the mandibular body and condyle in 3 patients. METHODS: This report describes 3 patients with large ameloblastomas (2 were second recurrences) treated by partial mandibular resection. Involvement of the mandibular condyle in these 3 patients made the reconstruction more challenging. Reconstruction included immediate temporomandibular joint replacement by a custom-made alloplastic total joint and mandibular body (Zimmer-Biomet, Jacksonville, FL). These devices were designed using virtual surgical planning software. The 3 patients underwent concomitant bone graft reconstruction using autogenous-free corticocancellous block bone grafts from the iliac crest. This facilitated later dental implant placement and full dental rehabilitation. Direct inferior alveolar nerve repair or nerve graft reconstruction with allograft was also carried out for all 3 patients. Maxillomandibular fixation was not used in all 3 patients. RESULTS: All the 3 patients underwent successful surgery and recovery. Mandibular function was preserved. The concomitant bone graft allowed successful dental implant placement for subsequent planned restorative dentistry. CONCLUSION: Ameloblastoma involving the mandibular condyle can be successfully treated by resection and concomitant total joint replacement with an alloplastic device. This technique shows promise in that there is rapid return to excellent function thanks to rigid fixation of the construct. Mirroring software used in the prosthesis design facilitates excellent cosmetic outcomes.