title: Silastic implant as a part of temporomandibular joint arthroplasty. Evaluation of its efficacy.
abstract: A study was made of 68 patients who had undergone an intra-articular temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthroplasty, using silastic implants as a part of the procedure, between 1970 and 1985. The use of silastic as a part of the arthroplasty was made when the disc was non-salvable because of perforation or destroyed because of ankylosis or previous surgery. At surgery, all patients had upper and lower arch bars fixed to their teeth by wiring in order to facilitate post-operative nocturnal elastic intermaxillary fixation of the teeth in occlusion as a part of a 3-month period of follow-up physiotherapy. Both surgery and the follow-up physiotherapy were considered of equal importance in the management of these patients. The study showed that 63 of 68 patients were relieved of their pre-operative signs and symptoms by the surgery and follow-up physiotherapy. These 63 patients have had no recurrence of their problem.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kalamchi
authors.forename: R V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Walker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007595:Joint Prosthesis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D012826:Silicone Elastomers; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D012826:Silicone Elastomers