Total prosthetic replacement of the temporomandibular joint

Twenty-seven patients have been operated on for total replacement of the temporomandibular joint because of ankylosis due to trauma, arthritis, neoplasm, infection, or pain. One prosthesis had to be taken out because of gross infection due to Staphylococcus albus, 2 more were removed for pain and dislocation of the prosthesis, and 1 was removed because of erosion through the skin. The remaining 23 had no complications.