[Temporomandibular joint replacement: old ideas and new concepts].

This systematic literature review presents the history of the development of temporomandibular joint reconstruction, discusses the problems and difficulties faced by engineers and surgeons. Better understanding of the history of temporomandibular joint prostheses explains the origin of negative public opinion about the prosthesis. TMJ prostheses design evolution and used biomaterials are discussed to justify the lack of variability of commercially available TMJ-reconstruction systems.