Inflammation and Immune Response in Arthrogenous Temporomandibular Disorders

The temporomandibular joints (TMJs) are often subject to a variety of pathological conditions that may be myogenous or arthrogenous in origin. Long-term successful management of TMJ disorders or temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) remains challenging as there is no recognised, unequivocal universal cause for these disorders. This chapter discusses arthrogenous TMD from an immunological point of view based on the current understanding of associated inflammatory mediators. Disorders of the TMJ are a group of musculoskeletal disorders affecting the masticatory structures which include the TMJs, muscles of mastication and associated structures such as the coronoid process. Many studies have linked the high prevalence of TMDs among females of reproductive age with the negative effects of female hormones, particularly oestrogen, on condylar cartilage and subchondral bone. The element of inflammation is present in many intracapsular TMD conditions, such as disc displacement disorders, synovitis, fibrous adhesions, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.