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Animal experiment: Surface wear analysis1355system, which aims to restore laterotrusive movement through reinsertion and integration of the lateral pterygoid muscle (LPM), a sheep model animal experiment was designed to further investigation (2,20–23). Whereas the proper implant integration and LPM insertion was previously evaluated (24), this paper aims to evaluate the in vivo wear rate in the condylar and fossa components. Furthermore, the difference in wear between the polished condylar head, coated with a HadSat’ diamond-like carbon (H-DLC) layer, was investigated and compared to that of the noncoated condylar head. Also the amount of wear of the fossa composed of a machined Vitamin E-enriched and ɣ-irradiated ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) component articulating with either type of condylar surface was evaluated. The total evaluation period in the present study was 288 days, which is equivalent to 22 years of human masticatory function (25).Materials and MethodsIn vivo test subjectsThis study was approved by the ethical committee at Medanex Clinic (license number LA 1210576 - code of approval EC MxCl 2018-090). Fourteen ewes (Swifter crossbreed) aged 2-5 years, with an average weight of 73.4 kg (range: 52-86 kg) and without any missing teeth were enrolled in the study. They were allowed to roam freely in the meadow until the operation. First, a pilot surgery was performed on two sheep, consisting of a sham surgery with surgical TMJ approach, including opening of the joint capsule, but without condylectomy or prosthesis implantation in one sheep. The second sheep received a TMJ TJR to establish standard procedures before the following twelve sheep were operated.During the first post-operative week, the sheep were kept in solitary confinement, after which they were put together in a larger indoor pen.Nikolas de Meurechy NW.indd 135 05-06-2024 10:14