Diagnostic and operative arthroscopy of the temporomandibular joint

In the past, most efforts aimed at treating internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) have involved nonsurgical modalities and/or conventional open surgical procedures (i.e. arthrotomy). Common non­surgical methods include physical therapy, bite splint appliances, anti-inflammatory medications and patient education regarding potentially destructive habits such as clenching and bruxing. If these methods failed to yield symptomatic and functional improvement, open ar­throtomy of the joint was often proposed. These procedures consist of disk repositioning, arthroplasty, meniscectomy with and without implants and other treatments (AAOMS, 1984). The purpose of this article is to describe TMJ arthroscopy: a useful alternative to open surgery for the diagnosis and treatment of intracapsular TMJ pathology.