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Effects of conservative treatment in patients who later will be candidates for TMJ surgery
G Widmark1, T Haraldsson, K E Kahnberg
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Odontology, University of Göteborg, Sweden.
Abstract:
In an attempt to evaluate the effect of conservative treatment in 33 patients with longstanding symptoms from the joint and later subjected to temporomandibular joint surgery, a retrospective study was made based on careful case records and personal follow-up. The treatment period varied widely between the patients but was on average 2.5 years. The result of the conservative treatment in these patients was, however, very slight and limited to a minor increase in mouth-opening capacity. All TMJ-patients, including those with the diagnosis ADD and suspected ankylosis, ought to have a strict treatment and follow-up programme in order to reduce doctor's delay if and when surgical intervention should be necessary. Efforts should be focused on development of diagnostic methods to support the selection of patients for TMJ surgery earlier so as to avoid prolonged unsuccessful conservative treatment.