The use of acrylic marbles for interposition arthroplasty in the treatmentof temporomandibular joint ankylosis: follow-up of 47 cases

This is a retrospective analysis of 47 patients (21 males, 26 females) with osseous or fibro-osseous temporomandibular joint ankylosis, who were refer red to our clinic between 1981 and 1998. In all cases, an acrylic marble wa s used as the interpositional material to prevent recurrence after aggressi ve resection of the ankylotic mass. The mean mouth opening was 15.65 mm pre operatively and 32.48 mm postoperatively. Complications during the follow-u p period, which ranged from 1 to 17 years, included reankylosis in three ca ses and extrusion and displacement of the acrylic marbles in two cases. The method produced good results and we believe that it is a simple alternativ e to other interposition arthroplasty procedures. Moreover, it has the adva ntages of reducing operating time and not requiring any personal skill.