Skip to main content

Surgical Approaches to the Temporomandibular Joint

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Temporomandibular Joint Disorders

Abstract

Surgical approach to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is indicated in various clinical scenarios involving the TMJ as well as the surrounding structures requiring any form of invasive surgery. Surgical exposure and access to this intricate joint is challenging owing to the close proximity to various vital structures in the maxillofacial region. A thorough understanding of the anatomy is essential for a surgeon to ensure a safe dissection and exposure of TMJ. The various approaches employed in reaching the joint along with the advantages and limitations of each are elaborated below. A brief description of the rationale behind choosing the ideal incision for a specific clinical indication is also presented in this chapter.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 89.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Al-Kayat A, Bramley P. A modified pre-auricular approach to the temporomandibular joint and malar arch. Br J Oral Surg. 1979;17(2):91–103.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Rowe NL. Surgery of the temporomandibular joint. Proc R Soc Med. 1972;65(4):383–88.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  3. Kreutziger KL. Surgery of the temporomandibular joint. I. Surgical anatomy and surgical incisions. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol. 1984;58(6):637–46.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Blair VP. Surgery and diseases of the mouth and jaws. 3rd ed. St Louis: The CV Mosby; 1917. p. 322–23.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Thoma KH. Oral surgery, vol. 1. St Louis: The CV Mosby; 1948. p. 634–43.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Dingman RO, Grabb WC. Intracapsular temporomandibular joint arthroplasty. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1966;38(3):179–85.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Popowich L, Crane RM Jr. Modified preauricular access to the temporomandibular apparatus. Experience with twenty-eight cases. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol. 1982;54(3):257–62.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Lempert J. Endaural, antauricular surgical approach to the temporal bone – principles involved in this new approach; summary report of 1,780 cases. Arch Otolaryngol. 1938;27(5):555–87.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Rongetti JR. Meniscectomy; a new approach to the temporomandibular joint. AMA Arch Otolaryngol. 1954;60(5):566–72.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Alexander RW, James RB. Postauricular approach for surgery of the temporomandibular articulation. J Oral Surg. 1975;33(5):346–50.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Block MS, Kent JN. Modified rhytidectomy approach for total temporomandibular joint reconstruction: a case report. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1989;47(2):187–90.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the contribution of Dr Logitha Sri, towards the illustration of Fig. 14.10.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2021 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Anantanarayanan, P., Elavenil, P., Bhoj, M. (2021). Surgical Approaches to the Temporomandibular Joint. In: Bhargava, D. (eds) Temporomandibular Joint Disorders. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-2754-5_14

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-2754-5_14

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-16-2753-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-16-2754-5

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics