The Influence of Postoperative Treatment on the Results of TMJ Meniscectomy

ABSTRACT

In order to evaluate the influence of different types of postoperative treatments on the results of TMJ surgery, chewing movement recorded postoperatively was compared in 32 patients with unilateral total meniscectomy, 42 patients with partial meniscectomy with disk repair, and 10 normal subjects Postoperative treatment was of three different types depending on its strategy. It was found that postoperative treatment had a significant positive effect on the results of both total and partial meniscectomy. Postoperative treatment which included both physical medicine modalities and dental treatment demonstrated better results than only dental treatment or no postoperative treatment. However, none of these studied techniques could recover chewing movement to the normal range.

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Notes on contributors

Toshiya Kuwahara

Dr. Toshiya Kuwahara received his D.D.S. degree from the Osaka University Faculty of Dentistry in Osaka, Japan in 1984, and his Ph.D. degree from the same university in 1989. At the Osaka University, Dr. Kuwahara is a research and clinical associate and a lecturer for the Department of Fixed Prosthodontics and Occlusion. He is a member of several organizations, including the International Association for Dental Research, the International College of Prosthodontists and American Society of Temporomandibular Joint Surgeons. He has been conducting joint research with the Osaka University, the State University of New York at Buffalo, and the Head and Neck Center, Sisters of Charity Hospital since 1993, and is a visiting research professor at the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Russell W. Bessette

Dr. Russell W. Bessette received his D.D.S. degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1969, and completed training in periodontology in 1972. He received his M.D. degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1976 and completed training in general surgery and plastic surgery in 1981. He is a Board Certified plastic surgeon and a clinical professor in the Department of Surgery (Plastic Surgery), School of Medicine and Department of Stomatology, School of Dentistry. He is a fellow in the American College of Surgeons, and a founding member of the American Society of Temporomandibular Joint Surgeons.

Takao Maruyama

Dr. Takao Maruyama received his D.D.S. degree from the Osaka University Faculty of Dentistry, in Osaka, Japan, in 1964, and his Ph.D. degree from the Osaka University in 1968. At the Osaka University, Dr. Maruyama is a professor and chairman of the Department of Fixed Prosthodontics. He is also a visiting professor at the Kyushu University Faculty of Dentistry, the Iwate Medical University Faculty of Dentistry, and the University cf Southern California School of Dentistry. He is a member of the International Association for Dental Research, the American Equilibration Society, and the International College of Prosthodontists.