Development of alloplastic materials for temporomandibular joint prosthesis: a historical perspective with clinical...

This paper gives the history of the development of alloplastic materials presently used in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). It discusses the evaluation of TMJ implants, from those being used primarily for ankylosis to the more varied and sophisticated implant designs used today. There is a discussion on the treatment of osteoarthritis with implants and also a discussion on the use of TMJ implants to repair skeletal and dental malrelationships, primarily anterior open bites. Included is a presentation of the latest research by Schellhas et al., which establishes that previously undiagnosed organic disease in the joint proper is a common cause of skeletal and dental malrelationships and that TMJ disease can cause malocclusion.