- Condylotomy
- Are any alternatives to joint surgery?
An alternative to joint surgery is to perform an extra-articular procedure that is called vertical osteotomy of the mandibular ramus or condylotomy and that has an indirect effect on the joint itself.
The condylotomy favors the increase of the intra-articular space, thanks to a lower and front shift of the condyle, which reduces the load on the joint tissues and leads to a remission of pain and joint dysfunction. The main indication of condylotomy is joint pain in cases where there has not been a good outcome with medical therapy or minimally invasive surgery.
It is therefore an alternative procedure to open joint surgery.
The scientific literature supports the use of condylotomy that has shown good results.
How is condylotomy surgery performed?
The surgery is performed under general anesthesia in an intraoral way (inside the mouth) therefore without visible scars.
We proceed with a precise cutting of the bone (osteotomy) at the level of the mandible, including the condyle.
Post-surgical panoramic radiograph showing a vertical osteotomy
of the left mandibular ramus (condylotomy)
After surgery, the patient is kept in a rigid intermaxillary fixation (mouth closed ) for 10-15 day .The patient can then be released and the occlusion can be guided with elastic bands for 6 weeks during which you have to maintain a light diet. The most frequent complication after condylotomy is malocclusion.