BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To review the different surgical techniques used for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunctions, as well as their indications. CONTENTS: Recent studies have tried to standardize different surgical techniques used for temporomandibular dysfunctions (TMD), to define when and how to use them. The first options are less invasive techniques, such as assisted mandibular handling with increased hydrostatic pressure, arthrocentesis, going to more complex procedures such as arthroscopy and open TMJ surgery in an attempt to relief or eliminate pain and dysfunction. CONCLUSION: The choice of TMD treatment depends much more on professional experience and handling than on scientifically controlled studies. Therapeutic success of TMJ procedures fundamentally depends on a global treatment plan involving conservative and clinical therapies, in addition to surgeries. Surgery alone will hardly provide a therapeutic success. Each procedure should be indicated based on well-defined criteria. However, there are no longitudinal studies and randomized clinical trials comparing the therapeutic effectiveness of each surgical modality.
Surgical treatment; Temporomandibular dysfunction; Temporomandibular joint
