Total prosthetic replacement of the temporomandibular joint

2.1 Causes of disorders of the temporomandibular joint include inflammatory and degenerative arthritis, trauma, infection and complications of surgery. Symptoms include pain and difficulty opening and closing the mouth, and an inability to eat a normal diet.

2.2 Conservative treatments for disorders of the temporomandibular joint include rest, non‑steroidal anti‑inflammatory drugs, bite splints and physiotherapy. Surgical options include arthroscopic surgery, remodelling of the joint surface, removal of the intra‑articular disc and replacement of components of the joint such as the disc, the fossa (socket) or the mandibular condyle.