Stock prostheses for total reconstruction of the temporomandibular joint

Abstract

Alloplastic total joint replacement (TJR) is a universally accepted procedure in orthopedics. According to recent estimates, the global market for orthopedic implants is projected to reach 46.5 billion dollars by 2017 [1]. The growth has been fueled by the overall safety and efficacy of orthopedic implants and the fact that a steadily increasing aging population and a younger population with higher expectations continue to seek relief from pain and physical independence and maintain mobility and quality of life. In the United States alone, in 2013, there were approximately 330,000 hip replacements and 720,000 knee replacements [2]. In addition to continually improving the safety and performance of alloplastic implants, orthobiologics have also been improving the overall success of orthopedic interventions. Growth factors, synthetic tissue grafts, bioengineered tissue implants, and viscosupplementation substances are only a few of the recent advances.