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The temporomandibular joint is a diarthrodial joint between the mandible and the temporal bone of the skull. It is also known as the jaw joint or simply the TMJ. The articular disc of the TMJ is situated between the condylar head of the mandible and the glenoid fossa of the temporal bone. 20-25% of the population have symptoms of a temporomandibular disorder (TMD) while only 3-4% of the population seek treatment. About 70% of reported TMD cases are attributed to pathologies involving the disc.
The disc is a fibrocartilaginous tissue, composed mostly of collagen (almost exclusively type I), glycosaminoglycans (primarily chondroitin sulfate and dermatan sulfate) and water. This disc is biconcave, somewhat like a red blood cell, except it is wider mediolaterally than anteroposteriorly, and the posterior band is slightly thicker than the anterior band. The cells of the disc are a heterogeneous mixture of fibroblasts and fibrochondrocytes, which are distinct from chondrocytes of hyaline cartilage.
One goal of our group is to provide the necessary characterization studies for tissue engineering, namely for the extracellular matrix, biomechanics, and cells of the TMJ disc. These studies have been completed, and our current focus is on tissue engineering the TMJ disc. Our strategy involves identifying the optimal scaffold, growth factors, and mechanical stimuli for engineering a functional disc.
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