Histopathology associated with malposition of the human temporomandibular joint disc.

Scapino, R.P.: Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol 1983; 55:382-97.

ABSTRACT

Anterior displacement of the temporomandibular joint disc is associated with a general remodeling of the joint's soft tissues. The anterior part of the posterior attachment becomes fibrotic. The external shape and the internal architecture of the disc change in characteristic ways. The disc appears to overlie more of the lateral pterygoid muscle than is normal. The capsule connecting the anterior band of the disc to the condyle appears to be elongated.

Recombinant AAV-mediated VEGF gene therapy induces mandibular condylar growth

A B M Rabie , J Dai, and R Xu: Recombinant AAV-mediated VEGF gene therapy induces mandibular condylar growth. Gene Therapy 14, 972–980 (1 June 2007).


Abstract
Craniofacial anomalies resulting from impaired growth of mandibular condyles require multidisciplinary interventions, which impose a substantial burden on patients and their families. So far, correcting such deformities with an alternative strategy – gene therapy – is still an uncharted territory. Here, we established an effective in vivo gene delivery system with recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV)-mediated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to enhance mandibular condylar growth. With in situ hybridization, RT-PCR, immunostaining and Western blot, transgene expression was clearly detected in the mandibular condyles during the whole experiment periods. At defined time points, specific osteogenetic markers (alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin) and chondrogenetic markers (collagen type II and collagen type X) were assessed by means of biochemical analysis and their expression significantly changed from day 30. Proliferation index by proliferating cell nuclear antigen staining showed also a significant increase in cell proliferation. Morphological measurement identified that the size of mandibular condyle significantly increased from day 30. Taken together, rAAV-VEGF was successfully established as an efficient delivery system to induce mandibular condylar growth, which provides the basis for future gene therapy to treat patients with craniofacial deformities. Gene Therapy (2007) 14, 972–980; doi:10.1038/sj.gt.3302943; published online 26 April 2007

Subjective reactions to intervention with artificial interferences in

YRSA LE BELL, PAIVI M. NIEMI, TAPIO JAMSA , MERVI KYLMALA & PENTTI ALANEN: Subjective reactions to intervention with artificial interferences in
subjects with and without a history of temporomandibular disorders. Institute of Dentistry, Department of Teacher Education, and Department of Statistics, University of Turku, Turku, Finland. Acta Odontologica Scandinavica, 2006; 64: 59-63.

Abstract:
In a previous double-blind randomized controlled study, subjects with a history of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) reacted to artificial interference with more signs of TMD than did subjects with no TMD history. In the present study, we analysed the subjective reactions of these individuals on several symptom scales. Every day during the 2-week follow-up period, the subjects rated the intensity of their symptoms on 9 VAS scales (occlusal discomfort, chewing difficulties, tender teeth, fatigue in the jaws, headache, facial pain, opening difficulty, bruxism, ear symptoms). Subjects with a history of TMD and true interferences reported stronger symptoms than subjects with no TMD history and placebo interferences.

The most prominent symptoms were occlusal discomfort and chewing difficulties. The difference in outcome between the groups with and without a TMD history suggests that there are individual differences in vulnerability to occlusal interferences. It is likely that the etiological role of occlusal interferences in TMD has not been correctly addressed in previous studies on artificial interferences.