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Updated: Jan 26, 2026

Systematic Assessment of Mammalian Skull Specimens for Dental and Temporomandibular Joint Pathology
Published on: August 22, 2022
Temporomandibular Joint Ankylosis Release: 17 Years of Experience with 521 Joints
Sonal Anchlia1, Jigar Dhuvad1, Jay Chetan Shah1
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Govt. Dental College and Hospital, Ahmedabad, Gujarat India.
Objective:
Various surgical techniques to release temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis have been described in the literature. The purpose of this paper is to report our Institution's experience regarding the post-surgical outcome of different surgical techniques for the release of ankylosis of the TMJ.
Materials And Methods:
The records from our hospital of 386 patients (521 joints) treated for TMJ ankylosis were reviewed. Data analysis included the etiology of TMJ ankylosis, gender distribution, age group, distribution of ankylosis based on location, type, interincisal opening and complications in the perioperative period.
Results:
Out of 521 joints, 65.02% were unilateral and 73.89% had bony ankylosis. The mean maximal incisal opening preoperative was 5.4 mm (SD 3.63 mm) and at 1-year follow-up was 36.9 mm (SD 3.3 mm). There was no permanent facial nerve paralysis. However, transient facial nerve paresis was 14.78%. There was an overall recurrence rate of 8.82%.
Conclusion:
We conclude that after TMJ ankylosis release with interpositional arthroplasty, reconstruction of the RCU with L ramus osteotomy is the most favorable. This procedure not only causes least complications, but also maintains height of ramus, facilitating surgeries for secondary asymmetry correction.
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