Temporomandibular Disorders: Surgical Implications and Management

Temporomandibular disorders are a group of conditions that interfere with the daily lives of patients. Pain and limited function are primary concerns, and general dentists are usually the primary clinicians to be made aware of this issue. Evaluation and diagnosis is the key to determining a management plan. Minimally invasive surgical treatment includes arthrocentesis and arthroscopy, which can reduce inflammatory mediators, thereby reducing pain and increasing joint function. Open joint surgery for internal derangements focuses on instrumentation to remove and reshape the diseased condyle and disc as arthroplasty. Patients with severely limited function are candidates for total joint replacement.