The role of temporomandibular joint surgery in the treatment of patients with internal derangement.

Surgery of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) has made considerable progress, although significant failures have plagued this field in recent years. Despite the controversies, surgery of the TMJ continues to have a small but important role in the management of specific temporomandibular disorders. This article presents an overview of TMJ surgery. It is concluded that careful case selection is the most important aspect for a successful outcome.