Use of tissue engineering in osteoarthritis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). A literature review

Abstract

Introduction. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a ginglimo-arthrodial joint that actively participates in jaw movements. When exposed to pressure, some structure may be compromised in its morphology causing an alteration in the biomechanical properties of the cartilage and bone, especially the mandibular condylar cartilage, and different pathologies may develop, such as osteoarthritis, which usually affects the condylar cartilage and underlying tissues. Objective. Describe the use of tissue engineering as treatments for Osteoarthritis of the TMJ. Methodology. The present research had an exploratory and descriptive approach with an exhaustive search in several digital libraries such as PubMed, Scielo, Dialnet, Google Scholar and ScienceDirect applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results. Among temporomandibular disorders, osteoarthritis is prevalent and manifests with pain, crepitus, and limitation of movement. Diagnosis includes advanced clinical and radiographic evaluations, and treatments range from noninvasive options to surgical interventions, with tissue engineering and stem cells as promising approaches for joint regeneration. Conclusion. It can be concluded that tissue engineering using stem cells has been highlighted as a promising method for the repair of affected tissues in this pathology.