Temporomandibular joint replacement (TJR) with alloplastic prosthesis has shown promising long-term results in end stage joint disorders. We present a case of young woman with painful ankylosis that where reconstructed with TJR, due to a complex mandibular fracture with dislocation of the left condyle into the middle cranial fossa two years earlier. At the age of 18 the subject underwent a total joint replacement with custom-made alloplastic TMJ prosthesis. To determine the bone response and remodeling activity around the prosthesis, a F18 PET/CT-scan was used. No sign of increased remodeling or pathology were seen in the imaging after the reconstruction. Four years postoperatively the subject reports no pain and excellent jaw function.
Keywords: alloplastic prosthesis; ankylosis; dislocated condyle; middle cranial fossa; temporomandibular joint (TMJ); trauma.