Background: Restoration of normal function of temporomandibular
joint is very important and very challenging
especially in cases when excision of one both condyles, with
or without ramus resection, is mandatory.
Purpose: The objective of this article is to evaluate the
effectiveness of artificial condyles as a solid and reliable
method for temporomandibular reconstruction.
Patients and Methods: Eighteen patients were included
in this study in the period from July 2009 to February 2018,
all patients suffered from loss of TMJ function; eight cases
due to tumors, six cases due to trauma, two cases due to
iatrogenic causes, two cases due to recurrent TMJ ankylosis.
Unilateral TMJ reconstruction with artificial condyle was
done in fourteen cases and bilateral reconstruction was done
in four cases. Follow-up period ranged from one year to eight
years.
Results: All patients were evaluated as regards; functions
and esthetics. Patients showed excellent improvement in
occlusion, mouth opening, and regaining facial height. From
the esthetic point of view, there was a little deviation of mouth
in maximum opening to the affected side in unilateral cases.
No recurrence of ankylosis was noted.
Conclusion: Temporomandibular joint reconstruction
using alloplastic artificial condyle is an effective and reliable
method of reconstruction.