The role of surgery in the management of disorders of the Temporomandibular Joint: a critical review of the literature Part 1

• Published in: International journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery Vol. 34; no. 2; pp. 107 - 113
• Main Author: Dimitroulis, G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2005; Elsevier
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Dentistry; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Facial bones, jaws, teeth, parodontium: diseases, semeiology; history of molecular biology; Humans; Joint Dislocations - physiopathology; Joint Dislocations - surgery; Medical sciences; Miscellaneous. Osteoarticular involvement in other diseases; Molecular Biology; Non tumoral diseases; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; surgery; Temporomandibular Joint; Temporomandibular Joint Disc - physiopathology; Temporomandibular Joint Disc - surgery; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders - physiopathology; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders - surgery; Treatment Outcome; history of molecular biology; Temporomandibular Joint; surgery; Human; Treatment; Stomatology; Surgery; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Arthropathy; Review; Temporomandibular joint dysfunction; Maxillary disease
• ISSN: 0901-5027; 1399-0020
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijom.2004.06.011

Despite the controversy surrounding the role of surgery in the management of Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD), studies in peer review journals continue to support the role of surgery as a legitimate means of treating pain and dysfunction in the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ). To better understand the role of surgery in the management of TMJ disorders, a critical review of the literature will be presented in two parts. Part 1 reviews the evolution of TMJ surgery together with the biological evidence for surgical disease. History teaches us that we are destined to repeat the mistakes of the past if we fail to properly reflect on what has already been achieved and where the failures have occurred. With the help of molecular biology, the future of TMD management may comprise more carefully targeted and less radical treatment modalities.