In the case of surgical treatment of temporomandibular ankylosis, there are some important factors to be considered : free movement of the new condyle, prevention of its reunion and dislocation af ter operation. For these purposes interposition of sof t tissues, such as fat, muscle or skin, and metal or other alloplastic material between the newly reconstructed joint, has been reported by many authors so far. Recently tantalum and Vitallium
have been used as the metallic materials principally because of their non electrolytic property. The first experience of the metallic condylar "cap"
of zirconium applied immediately af ter condylectomy is presented in this paper.
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