Evaluation of the sternoclavicular graft for the reconstruction of temporomandibular joint after gap arthroplasty

Ankylosis may be defined as the fusion of the articular surfaces with bony or fibrous tissue. The treatment of temporomandibular joint ankylosis poses a significant challenge because of the high incidence of recurrence. A number of interpositional materials have been used including alloplastic materials (acrylic, proplast-teflon, silastic), and autogenous tissues (temporalis muscle flaps, buccal fat pad, dermis, costochondral grafts, metatarsal, fibula, tibia, iliac crest, cranial bone and Sternoclavicular graft SCG and cartilage). Literature suggests that rather than growth centre, we need adaptive centre. SCG is presumed to be a more suitable material for interpositional arthroplasty because Sternoclavicular Joint (SCJ) and TMJ are very similar developmentally, histologically and morphologically throughout the growth period.