Custom-made temporomandibular implant TMJ

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the most frequently used joint in the human body; its unique biomechanics allows us to speak and chew. This joint consists of the following two main structures: glenoid fossa and condylar head. When the temporomandibular joint is damaged as a result of trauma or illness (such as osteoarthrosis, ankylosis, etc.), and usual treatment methods are ineffective or impossible to apply, this joint undergoes replacement surgery – the patient’s TMJ is replaced with an artificial one. This TMJ endoprosthesis is intended to replace a damaged joint, and restore its anatomy and its function. TMJ endoprosthesis may be either standard or patient-specific. In severe cases (for instance, large bone defect / deformity, irregular jaw position, bilateral pathology (both TMJs) or complications of existing implants), the use of a patient-specific TMJ implant is then recommended. Ortho Baltic manufactures patient-specific TMJ endoprosthesis individually for each patient with regard to the patient’s anatomy, pathology and the surgeon’s specifications for the design and requested set. Patient-specific TMJ implants and patient-specific surgical guides are designed on the patient’s skull-mandible anatomical model that is recreated from CT scan images. If possible, we advise to perform intraoral scan or take dental impressions of patient’s teeth. These highly accurate models are used to design a bite splint (to correctly position the jaws).