Evaluation of the patient for temporomandibular joint surgery

Larry J Moore

doi:10.1016/j.coms.2006.03.004

Evaluation of the patient for temporomandibular joint surgery

Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin North Am. 2006 Aug;18(3):291-303, v. doi: 10.1016/j.coms.2006.03.004.

Author

Larry J Moore¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA. drljmoore@aol.com

PMID: 18088833
DOI: 10.1016/j.coms.2006.03.004

Abstract

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) surgery is the preferred treatment for tumors, neoplasms, and selected injuries and infections of the TMJ. It is also an appropriate and effective treatment for subsets of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) that are characterized by mechanical disruption of joint function. Careful and systematic clinical evaluation and imaging is required to determine if painful TMD with altered range of motion is amenable to surgery of the TMJ. This article offers a rational approach to evaluation of patients for TMJ surgery.