Ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint.

It studied twenty eight (28) patients with ankylosis of the temporomandibular and , analysed them in terms of age, sex, signs and symptoms. It revealed difficulty in opening the mouth as the common complaint. The detailed history was taken of 96.4 % patients presented in first two decades of life. Right side was found more affected than the left side with bilateral infection in only one patient. Majority of the patients had juxta articular type which followed trauma while as intra-articular ankylosis was seen in 8 patients with secondary infection. Roentgenological examination was found to be useful investigative tool for pre-operative evaluation. After surgical procedures, it was observed that lesser the duration of ankylosis better are the results of surgery. The technique of interposition arthoroplasty using cylindrical acrylic spacer was found safe, simple and inexpensive with uniformly satisfactory in all patients. No complications were observed