Advancements in temporomandibular joint total joint replacements (TMJR)

The goal of this paper is to review the advantages and disadvantages of the various treatment options of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) total joint replacement (TJR). TMJ articles published within the last 20 years were reviewed to collect the information on non-invasive and invasive TMD treatment methods. Recent technological advancements helped the evolution of treatment methods and offered significant value to TMD patients and surgeons. Considering the TMD levels, the therapeutic procedures can involve general health examiniations, physical therapy, medication, oral rehabilation or as an end stage clinical invention, temporomandibular joint replacement. In fact when intra-articular TMD is present, the effective treatment method appears to be TJR. However, concern for infection, material hypersensitivity, device longevity and screws loosening issues still exists. Further combined research utilizing the knowledge and expertise of, surgeons, material scientists, and bioengineers is needed for the development of improved TMD therapeutic treatment.

The analysis of synovial fluid by proteomics from TMD

Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) can induce severe pain but, its pathogenic mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, we analyzed proteomes of human synovial fluid in the superior joint space in the patients with TMD, which is obtained during the treatment arthrocentesis. We've got this result that one of the spots was consistently down-regulated in synovial fluid of patients with TMD from analysis of protein pattern. Its molecular weight was estimated to be 33 kDa. Synoviolin was identified in our proteomics analysis of LC/MS/MS. This protein was recently reported as one of the proteins that might affect rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Synoviolin that might be associated with RA was detected in synovial fluid of patients with TMD. We can conclude that synoviolin might be involved not only in the pathogenesis of RA but also in TMD. In result, synoviolin might be involved in the pathogenesis of TMD and can be candidates as new therapeutic targets of TMD or early detection biomarkers.

The analysis of synovial fluid by proteomics from TMD

Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) can induce severe pain but, its pathogenic mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, we analyzed proteomes of human synovial fluid in the superior joint space in the patients with TMD, which is obtained during the treatment arthrocentesis. We've got this result that one of the spots was consistently down-regulated in synovial fluid of patients with TMD from analysis of protein pattern. Its molecular weight was estimated to be 33 kDa. Synoviolin was identified in our proteomics analysis of LC/MS/MS. This protein was recently reported as one of the proteins that might affect rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Synoviolin that might be associated with RA was detected in synovial fluid of patients with TMD. We can conclude that synoviolin might be involved not only in the pathogenesis of RA but also in TMD. In result, synoviolin might be involved in the pathogenesis of TMD and can be candidates as new therapeutic targets of TMD or early detection biomarkers.

Relative signal intensity of retrodiscal tissue in mri, and synovial fluid concentration of interleukin-6, mmp-2 and mmp-9 in temporomandibular joint disorder

In the progression of the Temporomandibular Joint Disorder(TMD), not only deformation and perforation of disc occur. But also fibrotic adhesion and inflammatory changes to the retrodiscal tissue can be seen in addition to the condylar degenerative change (e.g. osteoarthritis). However, the correct diagnosis,?planning for appropriate treatment, and prediction of prognosis are limited, because there are no means to stage the progression of the disorder. In this study relative signal intensity of retrodiscal tissue in MRI and the synovial fluid concentration of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), MMP-9, and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the 23 temporomandibular joints(TMJ), from 17 patients with TMD were evaluated as a possible diagnostic marker. The relative signal intensity of retrodiscal tissue was referenced to brain gray matter with same region of interest(ROI) size. The concentrations of MMP-2, MMP-9, and IL-6 were evaluated by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The collected data were compared with condylar degenerative change, joint effusion and disc position observed in MRI. The relative signal intensity of the retrodiscal tissue was increased significantly when degenerative changes were present. In addition, there was significantly high signal intensity in the presence of a disc displaced without reduction. The concentration of IL-6 was significantly increased when condylar degenerative change was no observed. And there were no changes in the levels of IL-6 according to disc position and joint effusion measurement. Moreover, there were no significant relevance between the concentration of total MMP-2 and active MMP-9 in synovial fluid, relative to degenerative changes in the mandibular condyle, to joint effusion, and to disc position observed on MRI images. In conclusion, the relative signal intensity of the retrodiscal tissue can be regarded as a mean of diagnosing the procession of TMD in a non-invasive manner. But more additional studies are required for the levels of MMP-2. MMP-9, and IL-6 to determine their potentials as a diagnostic marker for TMD.