Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
3142084 | Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery | 2016 | 7 Pages |
PurposeThe exact mechanisms of traumatic temporomandibular joint ankylosis (TTMJA) are largely unknown. In this study, we explore the role of injured condylar cartilage in the development of TTMJA.Material and methodsOne-month-old male mice were divided into two groups. In group 1, condylar cartilage was partially removed in the right joint using a small scissors to induce ankylosis. In group 2, condylar cartilage was completely removed in the same right joint using a small scissors to induce ankylosis. The phenotypes were observed using gross observation, micro-computed tomography scans and histological examination.ResultsThe results revealed a great deal of ectopic cartilage and bone formation in the right periarticular region in all mice in group 1, whereas there was only a small amount of ectopic cartilage present in 26.7% of the mice in group 2. Additionally, there was stronger expression of FGF9 and weaker expression of OPN in the right temporomandibular joint region in group 2 at 7 days after surgery.ConclusionsThese results suggest that the injured cartilage, not the injured bone, plays a crucial role in the development of TTMJA. In addition, it offers a useful TTMJA animal model to study the molecular mechanisms of TTMJA based on the gene manipulation technology, such as gene knock-out and knock-in as well as transgenic or gene mutation.