Alloplastic total joint replacement is one of the effective methods for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) reconstruction. As the first choice for TMJ reconstruction, alloplastic total joint replacement has the advantages of no need to open up a second operative area, short operation duration and immediate functional restoration, compared with autogenous bone graft. The customized prosthesis has the edge over the stock prosthesis due to its excellent suitability and less intraoperative bone trimming. However, there are no commercialized counterparts in China yet. Hence, it is urgent to develop a Chinese customized total TMJ prosthesis for Chinese patients. Since 2009, the authors′ team has begun to develop the customized total TMJ prostheses suitable for Chinese anatomical features independently. Through three generations of products, the team gradually realized the stable connection of porous titanium alloys and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), and finally achieved a key technological breakthrough in 2017. The third generation of customized total TMJ prosthesis was successfully developed by friction stir welding technology. The mechanical properties of Chinese customized prostheses have prevailed over its international counterparts, with satisfactory short-term follow-up results based on its preliminary clinical application. Furthermore, in order to ensure high efficiency and accuracy of the procedures from design and manufacture to clinical application, the authors′ team has developed a relatively mature standardized process, and improved the surgical procedures. This review systematically summarizes the research and development of Chinese customized total TMJ prosthesis system in the past decade, and looks forward to the future development of Chinese customized prosthesis system.
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