THE CHRISTENSEN PROSTHESIS - A RETROSPECTIVE CLINICAL-STUDY

The objective of this study was to determine if the Christensen tempor omandibular joint prosthesis system is an effective alternative in tre ating patients with severe temporomandibular joint disorders. A total of 69 patients who were not responsive to either nonsurgical or prior surgical treatments were placed into one of three treatment groups dep ending on the following diagnoses: (1) placement of a glenoid fossa-em inence prosthesis with meniscus retention (22 patients, 40 joints); (2 ) placement of a glenoid fossa-eminence prosthesis without retention o f the meniscus (26 patients, 49 joints); (3) total joint replacement ( 21 patients, 34 joints); Patients were evaluated immediately before su rgery and at regular intervals after surgery for an average of 3.1 yea rs. Success was measured as a significant improvement of function and decrease in pain, as measured on a visual analogue scale, as well as i mproved incisor opening as measured with a Therabite Scale (Lorenz Sur gical, jacksonville, Fia.). Comparison of mean and average pre- and po stsurgical values for all groups and criteria showed significant impro vement: Results of this study indicate that the Christensen temporoman dibular joint prosthesis system may offer a viable method for the trea tment of severe temporomandibular joint disease with a high degree of success.