Objectives We aimed to clarify the etiology, diagnostic process, and treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) luxation, as the standard care is mainly based on case-reports and systematic studies are lacking. The hypotheses were that luxation occurs spontaneously, recurrence manifests particularly among geriatric patients, and surgery is needed infrequently. Patients and materials A retrospective study of TMJ luxation patients (n = 260) from 2007 to 2020 was designed and implemented. The primary outcome was type of TMJ luxation (i.e., recurrent or non-recurrent), and secondary outcomes were the need for and type of surgical intervention. Predictor variables comprised age, sex, presence of neurological condition, and mechanism of luxation. Administered treatment and clinical outcomes were recorded. Results Of luxation, 61.9% was recurrent and 40.0% due to spontaneous cause. Only 1.9% of patients underwent surgical intervention. The presence of neurological condition caused a 1.34-fold risk for recurrence of luxation and general condition a 1.57-fold risk. Conclusions TMJ luxation is often recurrent, bilateral, and spontaneous. Recurrent luxation is associated with geriatric and neurological conditions, and in this group recurrent TMJ luxation predicted death. Clinical relevance Our findings contribute to more effective diagnostics and treatment of TMJ luxation patients. We show that there is a need to standardize diagnostic measures and treatment patterns. Moreover, collaboration with other specialities, especially neurology and geriatrics, is important.

ObjectivesWe aimed to clarify the aetiology, diagnostic process, and treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) luxation, as the standard care is mainly based on case-reports and systematic studies are lacking. The hypotheses were that luxation occurs spontaneously, recurrence manifests particularly among geriatric patients, and surgery is needed infrequently.Patients and materialsA retrospective study of TMJ luxation patients (n = 260) from 2007 to 2020 was designed and implemented. The primary outcome was type of TMJ luxation (i.e., recurrent or non-recurrent), and secondary outcomes were the need for and type of surgical intervention. Predictor variables comprised age, sex, presence of neurological condition, and mechanism of luxation. Administered treatment and clinical outcomes were recorded.ResultsOf luxation, 61.9% was recurrent and 60.0% due to spontaneous cause. The presence of neurological condition caused a 2.28-fold risk for recurrence of luxation. Only 1.9% of patients underwent surgical intervention. The risk ratio for mortality within 12 months of primary contact was 1.52-fold higher in recurrent luxation patients than in non-recurrent cases.ConclusionsTMJ luxation is often recurrent, bilateral, and spontaneous. Recurrent luxation is associated with geriatric and neurological conditions, and in this group recurrent TMJ luxation predicted death.Clinical relevanceOur findings contribute to more effective diagnostics and treatment of TMJ luxation patients. We show that there is a need to standardize diagnostic measures and treatment patterns. Moreover, collaboration with other specialities, especially neurology and geriatrics, is important.