title: Historical development of alloplastic temporomandibular joint replacement before 1945.
abstract: Resections of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) have been carried out for about 150 years. This article reviews the beginning of TMJ surgery technique before 1945 by carrying out extensive inquiries in public and private libraries and collections. Before 1945 the technique of alloplastic reconstruction of the TMJ was mainly influenced by German and French surgeons. Reconstruction was limited to replacement of the condyle. The role of the TMJ within the orofacial system was not considered. Interposition of alloplastic implants, resection dressings and prostheses were the dominant technique. The main concerns were sterilisation, biocompatibility and implant fixation. No evidence-based data on outcomes are available from that time. By 1945 reconstruction of the TMJ involved the close cooperation of surgeons and dentists.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Regensburg, Germany. oliver.driemel@klinik.uni-regensburg.de
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Driemel
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ach
authors.forename: Urs Dietmar Achim
authors.initials: UD
authors.lastname: Müller-Richter
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Behr
authors.forename: Torsten Eugen
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Reichert
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kunkel
authors.forename: Rudolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Reich
mesh_terms: D019643:Arthroplasty, Replacement / Q000266:history* / Q000379:methods; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery*; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000266:history* / Q000379:methods; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000266:history* / Q000601:surgery