[Retrospective analysis of 62 cases who received clinical application of artificial temporomandibular joint]

Objective: To conduct a retrospective study on the treatment outcomes of patients who underwent artificial temporomandibular joint (TMJ) replacement surgery and to evaluate the effectiveness of artificial TMJ treatment. Methods: This study selected 62 patients who received standard Biomet artificial TMJ treatment at Department of Orthognathic and TMJ Surgery, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University from May 2010 to September 2023 as the study subjects. Among them, there were 15 male patients and 47 female patients. The average age was 33.5 years old(ranging from 18 to 67 years). This study statistically analyzed postoperative indicators, including maximum mouth opening, forward jaw movement, lateral movement, postoperative pain scores, and patient satisfaction. Results: This study included a total of 62 patients with 99 TMJ joints. No infections occurred postoperatively. The average follow-up period was 33.7 months (ranging from 7 to 170 months). At 6 months postoperatively, the mean mouth opening was (36.1±6.2) mm, lateral movement was (2.1±0.9) mm, and forward jaw movement was (1.0±0.9) mm. The pain visual analog scale score at 6 months postoperatively was (2.8±0.6), and patient satisfaction with the surgery was (8.8±1.1). Spiral CT scans conducted after surgery showed no joint dislocation or migration, and the artificial joint remained stable during the follow-up period. Conclusions: Artificial TMJ replacement is a valuable method for effectively restoring TMJ structure and essential functions related to mouth opening and chewing. It is worthy of promotion as a reconstructive approach for the temporomandibular joint.