Scaffold-based tissue engineering strategies for temporomandibular joint disc regeneration and replacement

Abstract

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc is a fibrocartilage tissue located between the mandibular condyle and the glenoid eminence, which is central to the TMJ functions. The TMJ disc is susceptible to irreparable degenerative changes or post-traumatic injuries, which can lead to the development of a disc-related disease. Scaffold-based tissue engineering offers the potential for regeneration and replacement of the damaged TMJ disc. The present review describes the biomaterials and manufacturing technologies used in scaffold-based TMJ disc engineering strategies and comprehensively evaluates the advantages and disadvantages of each strategy. As an understanding of the extracellular matrix (ECM) is fundamental for succesful TMJ disc tissue engineering, this review defines the key properties and roles of the TMJ disc ECM. Compared with the natural disc, the mechanical properties of the tissue-engineered TMJ disc are not satisfactory. Additionally, the in vivo durability of engineered discs and their long-term impact on the entire TMJ remain to be studied, especially in large-animal preclinical trials.