title: Follow-up treatment after surgery of internal derangement of temporomandibular joint--a survey of 20 patients.
abstract: The effect of surgical treatment of internal derangement of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) combined with regular follow-ups was evaluated in 20 patients (16 women, 4 men, mean age 38 years, range 17-58 years). The function of the masticatory system was examined before surgery and at 3 months, 6 months and 1 year afterwards. The follow-up treatment immediately after operation included the use of analgesics for two to four weeks and mobilization exercises of the lower jaw, beginning the day after the operation. Twelve patients had complete or virtually complete dentition and six patients had prosthesis. The occlusal adjustment and occlusion of the prosthesis was corrected or new prosthesis was constructed approximately six months after surgery. Degree of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) was assessed using the clinical dysfunction index of Helkimo. A statistically significant decrease (p < 0.001) was seen in the scores of the dysfunction index in all recordings after surgery compared to preoperative values. All the ranges of the mandibular movements increased statistically significantly. It seems that regular follow-ups and adequate oral rehabilitation after surgery of internal derangement of TMJ have a great influence on the outcome of the surgical treatment of TMJ.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthetic Dentistry and Stomatognathic Physiology, Institute of Dentistry, University of Oulu.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Raustia
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013284:Stomatognathic System / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors