Objective To compare the image quality of three high-resolution dynamic MRI methods for evaluating the motion of temporomandibular joint disc and condyle. Methods Twenty-five patients with suspected temporomandibular joint disorders were examined by single-shot fast spin-echo (SSFSE),fast imaging employing steady-state acquisition (FIESTA),and spoiled gradient echo (SPGR) on the oblique sagittal position.Two radiologists performed subjective and objective evaluation on the images with double-blind method.The subjective evaluation included the signal intensity of mandibular condyle,articular disc,soft tissue around articular disc,and lateral pterygoid muscle,the contrast between articular disc and condyle,the contrast between articular disc and surrounding soft tissue,condylar motion,and disc movement.The objective evaluation indexes included image signal intensity,signal-to-noise ratio (SNR),and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR).The subjective and objective indexes of the image quality were compared between the three sequences. Results The SSFSE sequence had lower signal intensity of articular disc and higher signal intensity of condyle and surrounding soft tissue than FIESTA and SPGR sequences (all P<0.001).The SPGR sequence showed higher signal intensity of lateral pterygoid muscle than the SSFSE and FIESTA sequences (P=0.017,P<0.001).Among the three sequences,SSFSE sequence showed the clearest articular disc structure (χ²=41.952,P<0.001),the strongest contrast between articular disc and condyle (χ²=35.379,P<0.001),the strongest contrast between articular disc and surrounding soft tissue (χ²=27.324,P<0.001),and the clearest movement of articular disc (χ²=44.655,P<0.001).SSFSE and FIESTA sequences showed higher proportion of disc displacement and reduction than SPGR sequence (all P<0.001).The CNR (χ²=21.400,P<0.001),SNR (χ²=34.880,P<0.001),and condyle signal intensity (F=337.151,P<0.001) demonstrated differences among SSFSE,FIESTA,and SPGR sequences.The CNR of SSFSE sequence was higher than that of FIESTA sequence (P<0.001),while it had no significant difference between SSFSE and SPGR sequences (P=0.472).In addition,the SSFSE sequence had higher SNR and signal intensity than FIESTA and SPGR sequences (all P<0.001). Conclusion The best image quality can be observed from SSFSE sequence where both the structure and movement of temporomandibular joint are well displayed.Therefore,SSFSE is preferred for the examination of temporomandibular joint movement.
Humans ; Temporomandibular Joint/diagnostic imaging* ; Motion ; Plastic Surgery Procedures

Dentofacial deformities secondary to condylar hyperplasiais a kind of disease presenting facial asymmetry, malocclusion, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, and other symptoms caused by non-neoplastic hyperplasia of the condyle. The etiology is still unknown, and currently, pre- and post-operative orthodontics accompanied by orthognathic surgery, temporomandibular joint surgery and jawbone contouring surgery are the main treatment methods. A personalized treatment plan was developed, considering the active degree of condyle hyperplasia, the severity of the jaw deformity, and the patient's will, to correct deformity, obtain ideal occlusal relationship, and regain good temporomandibular joint function. Combined with the author's clinical experience, the etiology, clinical and imageological features, treatment aims, and surgical methods of condylar hyperplasia and secondary dentofacial deformities were discussed in this paper.
Humans ; Dentofacial Deformities/pathology* ; Hyperplasia/pathology* ; Mandibular Condyle/surgery* ; Orthognathic Surgical Procedures ; Temporomandibular Joint/surgery*

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to use modified articular disc anchorage in treating old irreducible temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc displacement with perforation and rupture, as well as to explore its efficacy. METHODS: A total of 31 patients (34 sides) with 47 TMJ disc perforations who underwent surgical treatment in the Affiliated Stomatolo-gical Hospital of Nanchang University from January 2018 to December 2021 were selected. According to the location of disc perforation, it has five types: posterior disc perforation (typeⅠ), anterior disc perforation (typeⅡ), lateral disc perforation (type Ⅲ), composite disc perforation, and destruction disc perforation. The modified methods of disc anchoring were divided into two types according to the location of the perforation. TypesⅠandⅢ disc perforation were trea-ted by posterior anchoring method. For posterior ancho-ring, a screw was implanted into the posterolateral side of the condylar neck, and the disc was fixed on the screw by horizontal mattress suture. TypeⅡdisc perforation and compo-site disc perforation combined typeⅡperforation were treated by anterior and posterior double-anchoring method. For anterior anchoring, anchor screws or holes were placed at the anterior edge of the condylar neck, and horizontal mattress suture was performed at the posterior edge of the anterior perforation with an anchor wire. The articular disc was then fixed on the anchor screws or holes. For the posterior anchoring method, it was the same as the previous one. Paired t test was used to analyze the visual analog scale (VAS), maximum interincisal opening (MIO), and TMJ disorder index (CMI) of the patient before surgery and 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery. Disk-condyle position relationship by magnetic resonance imaging and postoperative quality of life in postoperative were analyzed. RESULTS: The incidence of perforation was 41.2% (14/34) in typeⅠ, 11.8% (4/34) in typeⅡ, 8.8% (3/34) in typeⅢ, 29.4% (10/34) in composite type, and 8.8% (3/34) in destruction type. The VAS, MIO, and CMI at 3, 6 months after operation significantly improved compared with those before operation (P<0.05). The effective reduction rate of disc was 96.77% (30/31). The quality of life at 6 months after surgery was 47.22±2.13, and the rate of excellent evaluation was 96.4% (27/28). CONCLUSIONS Modified articular disc anchorage achieves a good curative effect for treating temporomandibular joint disc perforation and rupture. Nevertheless, its long-term effect requires further observation.
Humans ; Temporomandibular Joint Disc/surgery* ; Quality of Life ; Joint Dislocations/surgery* ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders/surgery* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods* ; Temporomandibular Joint/pathology* ; Mandibular Condyle

PURPOSE: The main aim is to provide clinical reference for the application of mini suture anchor in the reduction and fixation of displaced temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc with intracapsular condylar fracture. METHODS: From October 2018 to October 2019, 21 patients (31 sides) with intracapsular condylar fractures and articular disc displacement from West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University were included. The selection criteria were: (1) mandibular condylar fractures accompanied by displacement of the TMJ disc, confirmed by clinical examination, CT scan and other auxiliary examinations; (2) indication for surgical treatment; (3) no surgical contraindications; (4) no previous history of surgery in the operative area; (5) no facial nerve injury before the surgery; (6) informed consent to participate in the research program and (7) complete data. Patients without surgical treatment were excluded. The employed patients were followed up at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after operation. Outcomes were assessed by success rate of operation, TMJ function and radiological examination results at 3 months after operation. Data were expressed as number and percent and analyzed using SPSS 19.0. RESULTS: All the surgical procedures were completed successfully and all the articular discs were firmly attached to the condyles. The articular disc sufficiently covered the condylar head after the fixation. The fixation remained stable when the mandible was moved in each direction by the surgeons. No complications occurred. The functions of the TMJ were well-recovered postoperatively in most cases. CT scan revealed that the screws were completely embedded in the bone without loosening or displacement. CONCLUSION Mini suture anchor can provide satisfactory stabilization for the reduced articular disc and also promote the recovery of TMJ functions.
Humans ; Joint Dislocations/surgery* ; Mandible ; Mandibular Condyle ; Mandibular Fractures/surgery* ; Suture Anchors ; Temporomandibular Joint Disc/surgery*

Temporomandibular joint disorders are common diseases characterized by joint clicking, limited mouth opening and pain, which have a huge impact on the patients' daily life. Conservative methods include medicine, physiotherapy and occlusal application. With the advancement of medical technology, the arthroscopy is becoming popular for its minimally invasion and high efficiency. This review focuses on the common arthroscopic methods, and provides an outlook of the arthroscopic surgery.
Humans ; Temporomandibular Joint Disc/surgery* ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders/surgery* ; Arthroscopy ; Temporomandibular Joint/surgery* ; Joint Dislocations ; Treatment Outcome

Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA) is mainly manifested as perforation of temporomandibular joint disc (TMJD) and destruction of condylar osteochondral complex (COCC). In recent years, tissue engineering technology has become one of the effective strategies in repairing this damage. With the development of scaffold material technology, composite scaffolds have become an important means to optimize the performance of scaffolds with the combined advantages of natural materials and synthetic materials. The gelling method with the minimally invasive concept can greatly solve the problems of surgical trauma and material anastomosis, which is beneficial to the clinical transformation of temporomandibular joint tissue engineering. Extracellular matrix scaffolds technology can solve the problem of scaffold source and maximize the simulation of the extracellular environment, which provides an important means for the transformation of temporo joint tissue engineering to animal level. Due to the limitation of the source and amplification of costal chondrocytes, the use of mesenchymal stem cells from different sources has been widely used for temporomandibular joint tissue engineering. The fibrochondral stem cells isolated from surface layer of articular cartilage may provide one more suitable cell source. Transforming growth factor β superfamily, due to its osteochondrogenesis activity has been widely used in tissue engineering, and platelet-rich derivative as a convenient preparation of compound biological factor, gradually get used in temporomandibular joint tissue engineering. With the deepening of research on extracellular microenvironment and mechanical stimulation, mesenchymal stem cells, exosomes and stress stimulation are increasingly being used to regulate the extracellular microenvironment. In the future, the combination of complex bioactive factors and certain stress stimulation may become a trend in the temporomandibular joint tissue engineering research. In this article, the progress on tissue engineering in repairing COCC and TMJD, especially in scaffold materials, seed cells and bioactive factors, are reviewed, so as to provide information for future research design and clinical intervention.
Animals ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells ; Temporomandibular Joint/surgery* ; Temporomandibular Joint Disc/surgery* ; Tissue Engineering ; Tissue Scaffolds

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the value of arthroscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of synovial chondromatosis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJSC). METHODS: The cases of 16 patients preliminarily diagnosed with TMJSC by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) from July 2011 to December 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. If the diagnosis was confirmed by arthroscopy, the opening operation was performed. The preoperative MRI, arthroscopy and opening operation, postoperative pathology and postoperative MRI of confirmed cases were analyzed, and clinical follow-up was performed to evaluate the curative effect of open surgery. The degree of mouth opening and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for pain pre-operation and during follow-up of the confirmed cases were analyzed by RESULTS: Fourteen cases of TMJSC were diagnosed by arthroscopy, consistent with the postoperative pathological diagnosis. Postoperative MRI examination showed that articular cavity lesions basically disappeared. Ten patients with synovial chondromatosis were followed-up (follow-up rate, 71.4%) from 6 months to 7 years and 8 months (average follow-up time, 17.6 months); no recurrence was found, and clinical symptoms improved by varying degrees. Before operation and at follow-up, CONCLUSIONS Arthroscopy is essential in the diagnosis and treatment of TMJ synovial chondromatosis.
Arthroscopy ; Chondromatosis, Synovial/surgery* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Retrospective Studies ; Temporomandibular Joint ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders/surgery*

Treating dentofacial deformities secondary to condylar resorption is a remarkable clinical challenge. Combined orthodontic treatment and orthognathic surgery is currently the main treatment scheme and is often integrated with temporomandibular joint surgery or conservative treatment according to the severity of condylar resorption. This paper discussed the etiology, clinical features, imaging features, treatment options, and prophylaxis of condylar resorption.
Bone Resorption ; Dentofacial Deformities ; Humans ; Mandibular Condyle ; Orthognathic Surgery ; Orthognathic Surgical Procedures ; Temporomandibular Joint

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of preoperative condylar condition for mandible retrognathism deformities with severe temporomandibular joint osteoarthrosis on the stability of the jaw after orthognathic surgery and on the postoperative condylar volume changes. METHODS: In this retrospective study, from 2014 to 2019, 37 patients including 1 male and 36 female, aged between 21 to 34 years old with an average age of (28.03±6.52) years, were diagnosed with mandible retrognathism deformities with severe temporomandibular joint osteoarthrosis by Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology and received orthognathic surgery, meeting the inclusion criteria were included. According to the preoperative condylar condition. There were divided into smooth group and non-smooth group, the lateral cephalometric films 1 week (T0), 3 months (T1), 6 months (T2) and 1 year (T3) after surgery were used to establish the coordinate system and cephalometric analysis to determine the stability of the jaw after operation. The three-dimensional model of the condyle was segmented by cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) 1 week (T0), 3 months (T1), 6 months (T2) and 1 year (T3) after surgery and the volume was obtained to evaluate the change of the condyle volume after surgery. CBCT image data was used to evaluate the changes of the condylar condition after surgery, and to clarify the correlation between the postoperative condylar condition and jaw stability. SPSS 20.0 statistical software was used for statistical analysis, Fisher's exact probability methods were used to compare whether there were statistically significant differences in the stability of the mandibular joint at stages T1, T2 and T3 with different preoperative condylar condition.Spearman correlation coefficient analysis and Mann-Whitney test were used to compare whether there were statistically significant differences in the volume changes at stages T1, T2 and T3 after surgery between the two groups. RESULTS: The recurrence rates of the mandible in the condylar smooth group were T1 36.85%, T2 47.37% and T3 42.11%, respectively. The recurrence rates in the non-smooth condylar group were T1 27.78%, T2 44.44% and T3 55.56%, respectively. There was no statistical difference in the recurrence rates between the two groups at different time points. There was no significant difference in the condylar volume change between smooth group and non-smooth group. CONCLUSION For patients with mandible retrognathism deformities with severe temporomandibular joint osteoarthrosis and no significant changes in the condyle observed for one year before surgery, there is no difference in the influence of the preoperative condylar condition on the stability of jaw after operation, and no definite influence on the volume of the condyle after operation. Condylar resorption 3 months after surgery can cause instability of the jaw after orthognathic surgery.
Adult ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mandible ; Mandibular Condyle ; Orthognathic Surgery ; Osteoarthritis/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Temporomandibular Joint/surgery* ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical outcomes of a combined unilateral intraoral and extraoral reduction approach in the treatment of anterior temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dislocation. METHODS: Postural muscular chains were utilized in the biomechanical analysis of stomatognathic systems for improving TMJ repositioning approaches. A total of 87 patients with anterior TMJ dislocation were included in the present study. A combined unilateral intraoral and extraoral reduction approach was applied, and the clinical effects were evaluated. RESULTS: Biomechanical analysis reveal that reflexive contrac-tion of the maxillary muscle group was blocked sufficiently during the combined unilateral intraoral and extraoral reduction process. All dislocated TMJs were set successfully and efficiently with few complications. CONCLUSIONS Combined unilateral intraoral and extraoral reduction approach is an effective, convenient, and minimally invasive way to treat anterior TMJ dislo-cations.
Humans ; Joint Dislocations ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Temporomandibular Joint ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders ; surgery