Erosion and heterotopic bone formation after alloplastic temporomandibular joint reconstruction

Twenty-three temporomandibular joint arthroplasties using metallic condylar prostheses were performed because of severe ankylosis (8 patients), segmental mandibular resections in tumor surgery (9 patients), and after extensive trauma (2 patients). A clinical and radiological follow-up study showed heterotopic bone formation in 52% of cases and glenoid fossa resorption in 43%. In one patient with rheumatoid arthritis the condyle eroded through the skull base 10 months after surgery. Seven prostheses (30%) were removed and/or exchanged during the average 27.6-month follow-up.