TMJ Replacement
Similar to a hip or knee, the TMJ (temporomandibular joint) can be replaced in "end stage" degeneration. The jaw joint can undergo the same degenerative process that the knee or hip undergoes. Symptoms of end-stage disease can include significant limited jaw opening, grating sounds, localised joint pain and difficulties eating.
The normal process for most patients would be an arthroscopy in the first instance prior to undertaking invasive procedures. This will help the surgeon and patient gauge the severity of the degenerative process and to obtain some short to medium term pain and functional relief in those patients who would progress to Total Replacement Therapy.
I have performed over 100 TMJ Total Joint Replacements and has significant experience in this field.
This is a TMJ Concepts prosthesis which is customed designed for an individual patient. With modern technology, the prosthesis is fabricated to fit only that patient and is a perfect example of personalized medicine.