Aim of the study: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of eminectomy versus T plate eminoplasty as two surgical maneuvers for treating temporomandibular joint subluxation.
Patients and Methods: The study was conducted on thirty patients suffering from bilateral TMJ subluxation. Diagnosis was confirmed by taking history, clinical examination and Tmj view radiographs. They were divided into two groups where Group I performed eminectomy while Group II inserted a T plate at the anterior border of the eminence. Clinical data including maximal mouth opening, pain, joint sounds and recurrence of subluxation episodes were collected at 1 month,3 months,6 months ,12months and 24 months postoperatively. As for the radiographic assessment cone beams were taken preoperative to exclude presence of cysts within the eminence, right postoperative, 6months ,12 months and 24 months
Results: All clinical data collected including maximal interincisal opening, pain, joint sounds and number of dislocations episodes per week showed initial improvement for the two groups but superior results were in favor of the T-plate group. Long term follow up proved the superior results of the plates with no associated side effects. On the contrary the eminectomy group showed some side effects ,the worst of all was the Tmj osteoarthritic changes detected in the CBCT within the condylar head .
Conclusion: Both surgical techniques had good results concerning TMJ subluxation. However, the plate group had superior results and no proved side effects on the long run.