Alloplastic Total Joint Replacement: A Management Option in Temporomandibular Joint Condylar Resorption

A variety of options have been proposed for the surgical management of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) idiopathic/progressive condylar resorption (ICR/PCR) cases in the past. Various developments in understanding the molecular biology of the TMJ and the postulated role of estrogen in bone biology have led to a proposed pathophysiology model for ICR/PCR of the TMJ, which is also based on the established orthopedic bone biology remodeling/resorption paradigm. Therefore, a critical review of the ICR/PCR and TMJ total alloplastic joint replacement surgery literature, as well as the author's experience, suggests that TMJ total alloplastic joint replacement can provide enhanced long-term surgical outcomes in the management of end-stage ICR/PCR pathology.