Kinematics of the jaw following total temporomandibular joint replacement surgery.

Abstract

Total temporomandibular joint (TMJ) replacement surgery aims to improve mandibular function, reduce pain and enhance quality of life in patients suffering from end-stage TMJ disorders. Traditional post-operative jaw evaluation is carried out using measurement of maximum interincisal opening distance; however, this can correlate poorly to joint function. The present study aimed to evaluate three-dimensional (3D) jaw motion during border movements and chewing in unilateral total TMJ replacement patients and healthy controls. Motion analysis experiments were performed on six unilateral total TMJ replacement patients and ten age-matched healthy controls. Subject-specific motion tracking plates w..