Comprehensive Diagnostic List and

Treatment Plan for TMJ Surgery

A comprehensive diagnostic list can be compiled following completion of all necessary and
required evaluations. A definitive treatment plan is developed to address these issues as well as
other treatment options that may be available for the patient, so the patient can make an informed
decision as to the treatment preferred.

The importance of disc position for stability cannot be overemphasized. Many surgeons have
been thought that orthognathic surgery will fix the TMJ problems, however in patients with
anteriorly displaced discs, particularly when mandibular advancement is required the articular
disc remains anteriorly displaced with predictably increased pain and possibility of condylar
resorption. Orthognathic surgery does not fix displaced discs.

FIGURE 23: A) This illustration shows a hypoplastic mandible with a displaced TMJ articular
disc. B) The mandible is advanced without TMJ surgery. The disc will remain anteriorly
displaced because the condyle will seek the most superoposterior position in the fossa when the
mandible is advanced. This can initiate or worsen TMJ pain and dysfunction, headaches,
condylar resorption, etc.

Intraoperative Surgical Sequencing:

Intraoperative Surgical Sequencing for Disc Repositioning
Indicated surgical procedures are dependent of the TMJ condition and pathology as well as the
severity of the jaw deformity. In some situations, the surgery may be much simpler than the
following surgical sequencing protocol, which is designed for more complex Orthognathic
Surgery in Combination with Disc Repositioning:

1. TMJ disc repositioning with Mitek anchor and artificial ligaments

2. Mandibular ramus osteotomies and mobilization
3. Maxillomandibular fixation with intermediate surgical splint
4. Placement of mandibular rigid fixation
5. Maxillary osteotomies and mobilization
6. Turbinectomies (partial), septoplasty, adenoidectomy etc., if indicated
7. Maxillary segmentation and application of the palatal splint if indicated
8. Maxillary positioning, rigid fixation and bone grafting
9. Adjunctive procedures such as genioplasty, rhinoplasty, UPPP, facial augmentation, etc.
FIGURE 24: Application of the Mitek anchor technique. (A) The excessive bilaminar tissue is
excised, and the disc is mobilized and repositioned. (B) Two 0-Ethibond sutures are passed
through the eyelet of a Mitek mini anchor using the included threading device. (C) The anchor is
placed into the posterior head 8 mm below the crown of the condyle just lateral to the midsagittal
plane. (D) The sutures are attached to the posterior aspect of the posterior band with 3 over-and-
over sutures for each set of artificial ligaments; 1 set placed medial and 1 placed more lateral.

The TMJ surgery is done first since most TMJ procedures affect the position of the mandible
(i.e., disc repositioning, high or low condylectomy). Mandibular sagittal split osteotomies with
rigid fixation are done next so the mandible can be placed in the predetermined position
regardless of the amount of displacement caused by the TMJ surgery. Many TMJ patients require
counter-clockwise rotation of the maxillomandibular complex to get the best functional and
esthetic outcomes. In this situation it is easier to do the mandibular osteotomies before the
maxillary osteotomies. If the surgeon prefers to do the TMJ surgery at a separate operation from
the orthognathic surgery, then the TMJ surgery should be done first. TMJ arthroscopy should not
be used in TMJ cases requiring orthognathic surgery, as it does not provide the ability to
reposition and stabilize the disc in the proper position to withstand the loading of the TMJ
created from the orthognathic surgery. Arthroscopy does not fix the TMJs, so patients are
highly susceptible to initiating post surgical condylar resorption and increased pain, particularly
if the mandible is advanced, with requirement to repeat the orthognathic surgery as well as
reconstruct the TMJs. In addition, arthroscopy can render a reducing disc into a non-reducing
disc that will then accelerate the degeneration and deformation of the articular disc, resulting in
the requirement of a total joint prosthesis to eliminate the TMJ pathology and associated
problems.

Wolfords modification of the mandibular ramus sagittal split osteotomy provides an easy
method to position the condyle in the fossa following TMJ surgery (Figure 1). The medial cut is
made just above the lingula and the cut down the ascending ramus is made adjacent to the buccal
cortex and stops distal to the second molar. A horizontal bone cut is made perpendicular to the
buccal cortex, 8 mm below the gingivocervical margin of the teeth from just distal to the 2nd
molar forward 8 mm further than the amount of mandibular advancement required. This will
provide a bony interface between the proximal and distal segments to control the position of the
proximal segment, seat the condyle in the fossa, and accommodate a bone plate and screws. An
inferior border osteotomy is performed with a special inferior border saw and proximal and distal
segments separated. The mandible is repositioned with an intermediate splint and
maxillomandibular fixation applied. The proximal segment is positioned beneath the bony ledge
of the distal segment, gently pushed posteriorly at its anterior edge, and gentle finger pressure is
applied externally at the angle of the mandible seating the condyle into the fossa. Rigid fixation
is applied using the specially designed sagittal split bone plate (Z-plate) with 4 monocortical
screws and 1 to 2 screws in the anterosuperior ramus. The maxillary osteotomies are then
performed, intranasal procedures such as septoplasty and turbinectomies completed if indicated,
and rigid fixation with bone grafting to stabilize the maxilla.

Additional ancillary procedures such as genioplasty, rhinoplasty, etc. are then completed (Figure
1).

Surgical Sequencing for Orthognathic Surgery and TMJ

Total Joint Prostheses Reconstruction:
1. Condylectomy
2. Coronoidotomy or coronoidectomy
3. Mobilize mandible
4. Maxillomandibular fixation with intermediate surgical splint
5. Placement of total joint prostheses
6. Bilateral TMJ fat grafts harvested from the abdomen or buttock
7. Maxillary osteotomies and mobilization
8. Turbinectomies, septoplasty, etc.,
9. Maxillary segmentation and application of the palatal splint if indicated
 10. Maxillary rigid fixation and bone grafting
11. Adjunctive procedures such as genioplasty, rhinoplasty, UPPP, facial augmentation, etc.

A potential risk to patients receiving a custom-fitted or stock TMJ total joint prosthesis is
infection. The occurrence rate is less than 2 % with greater risk for patients on
immunosuppressant medications such rheumatoid patients or others with connective
tissue/autoimmune diseases. Bacterial or viral contamination of the prosthesis can occur during
surgery or develop at a later time from bacterial seeding through a hematogenic route or
localized bacterial sources. As a result, strict adherence to sterile technique for the procedures
performed can prevent or reduce the chance of infection associated with the implantation of total
joint prosthesis, and concomitant orthognathic surgery.

After surgical prepping including the face, neck, mouth, ears, and ear canals, the face and neck
are draped, and the mouth and nose are isolated by application of a Tegaderm film dressing
(Figure 25). The TMJs are approached through an endaural or pre-auricular, and submandibular
incisions. A condylectomy, joint debridement, and preparation of ramus are performed followed
by mobilization of mandible in a downward and forward direction. Draping with sterile towels
isolates the oral cavity. The Tegaderm is cut through and the oral cavity is entered, intermediate
splint placed, and intermaxillary fixation applied. The surgeons change gloves and gown and the
mouth is sealed off once again with a Tegaderm film dressing.

The total joint prostheses are inserted and fixed in position, fat grafts harvested from the
abdomen or buttock are packed around the articulating area of the prostheses (Figure 26) and the
incisions closed. The oral cavity is then entered, intermaxillary fixation released, and
intermediate splint removed. Maxillary osteotomies are performed with rigid fixation and bone
grafting as indicated followed by any other adjunctive procedures. Special care must be taken,
when performing a concomitant genioplasty procedure, with a conservative posterior dissection
along the symphysis/body region to prevent communication with the total joint prosthesis
implantation site. Appropriate IV antibiotics are used while in the hospital and then PO
antibiotics for an additional 10 days. This patient management scheme should minimize the risk
of infection.
FIGURE 25: After preparation of the face and oral cavity, a Tegaderm Film dressing, 6 x 8
inches, is applied to seal off the oral cavity and nasal airway from the surgical field.

TMJ and Facial Asymmetry:

Facial asymmetries are commonly caused by TMJ pathology and can create a progressive
worsening of the facial deformity and malocclusion.[i] For example, a unilateral condylar
pathological over-development of the condyle can cause facial asymmetry and affect the
contralateral normal TMJ by creating articular disc dislocation and arthritis from the increased
functional loading on that joint related to the over-development of the ipsilateral side. Unilateral
condylar under-development or resorption can cause the mandible and face to be smaller on one
side and the jaws to shift toward the involved side. Performing orthognathic surgery only in
facial asymmetry cases and ignoring the TMJs during treatment or failure to render proper TMJ
management can result in the dentofacial asymmetry and malocclusion redeveloping with
worsening TMJ associated symptoms including jaw dysfunction and pain.

Number and Type of Previous Surgeries:

Patients with TMJ articular disc dislocation, 0 to 1 previous TMJ surgeries, and no polyarticular
conditions, may benefit by articular disc repositioning and ligament repair with Mitek anchors
(Mitek Products Inc., Westwood, MA) to achieve a stable treatment outcome (Figure
24). Success rate is best when discs are repositioned within 4 years of initial disc displacement.
Patient with 2 or more previous TMJ surgeries will have a higher failure rate with disc
repositioning or other autogenous tissue reconstruction. In these cases, a custom-fitted TMJ
total joint prosthesis, (TMJ Concepts Inc. system) will have a much higher rate of success.
Patients with connective tissue and autoimmune disease involvement of the TMJ will benefit
from custom-fitted total joint prosthesis reconstruction since the disease processes will likely
attack any autogenous tissues placed into the joint area, but will not affect TMJ total joint
prostheses. Other end-stage TMJ conditions such as severe reactive arthritis or osteoarthritis,
ankylosis, severe damage from trauma, failed TMJ alloplastic implants, polyarticular conditions,
etc. will get the most predictable results with custom-fitted total joint prostheses and fat grafts
packed around the articulating components of the prostheses.

Repeat orthognathic surgery is technically more difficult, but usually a good result can be
achieved.

Age for Surgical Intervention:

Predictability of results and limiting correction of the jaw and TMJ-related deformities to 1
major operation can best be achieved by waiting until growth is nearly complete. Although there
are individual variations, girls usually have most of their facial growth (98%) complete by the
age of 15 years and boys by the age of 17 to 18 years. Performing surgery at earlier ages may
result in the need for additional surgery at a later time to correct a resultant deformity and
malocclusion that may develop during the completion of growth. There are definite indications
for early surgery, such as progressive TMJ deterioration, ankylosis, growth center transplants (ie,
rib or sternoclavicular grafts), masticatory dysfunction, tumor removal, pain, and sleep apnea.
We have previously published studies on maxillary and mandibular surgery and their effects on
growth with guidelines for age when considering surgical intervention.

Non-Surgical and Closed TMJ Treatment Considerations:

Nonsurgical TMJ treatments (e.g., splints, physical therapy, chiropractic treatment, orthodontics,
biofeedback, acupuncture, and medications) may help the TMJ symptoms but do not stabilize
and eliminate TMJ disorders (eg, disc dislocation, arthritis, condylar resorption, or condylar
hyperplasia) to withstand the increased TMJ loading that usually accompanies orthognathic
surgery. Arthrocentesis and arthroscopy are contraindicated in patients with TMJ disorders
requiring orthognathic surgery because these techniques do not reposition and stabilize the
articular disc in a normal position, but may convert a reducing disc into a nonreducing disc that
will yield a more rapid deformation and degeneration process of the disc, subsequently rendering
it nonsalvageable.