Stem Cells in Temporomandibular Joint Engineering: State of Art and Future Persectives

Abstract

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease, characterized by gradual cartilage degradation, bone remodeling, synovitis, and chronic pain. Due to the limited self-healing capacity in condylar cartilage, traditional clinical therapy have limited symptom-modifying and structure-modifying effects to restore impaired cartilage as well as other TMJ tissues. In last years, stem cell-based therapy has collected much attention as a possible approach toward tissue repair and regeneration. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), derived from the bone marrow, synovium, and even umbilical cord, play a role as seed cells for the cartilage regeneration of TMJ. MSCs possess multilineage differentiation potential, including chondrogenic differentiation as well as osteogenic differentiation. In addition, the modulations of MSCs exert antiinflammatory and immunomodulatory effects under aberrant conditions. Furthermore, MSCs combined with appropriate scaffolds can form cartilaginous or even osseous compartments to repair damaged tissue and impaired function of TMJ. In this review, we will describe the potential sources of MSCs and novel approaches for the cartilage regeneration of TMJ, particularly focusing on the MSC-based therapy and tissue engineering.

Sleep Bruxism Contributes to Motor Activity Increase during Sleep in Apneic and Nonapneic Patients—A Polysomnographic Study

“…Considering pain as one of the most problematic consequences of SB, Ferrillo et al have reported, based on a conducted meta-analysis, that conservative approaches including rehabilitative therapies (like splint appliance and laser therapy) might be effective in the treatment of pain in TMJ disorders [ 6 ]. New treatment methods are emerging, among them regeneration of TMJ with the use of mesenchymal stem cells [ 7 ]. In the global novel problem of the COVID-19 pandemic, even some modern teledentistry approaches have been suggested as applicable in the treatment of TMJ disorders [ 8 ].…”

Global Trends and Future Research Directions for Temporomandibular Disorders and Stem Cells

“…Due to the multifactorial etiology of TMD, several treatment strategies have been adopted and the choice of these varies according to the degree of severity of the disorder [ 11 ]. Preferably, more conservative methods have been chosen as the first line of treatment [ 12 ].…”

“…Preferably, more conservative methods have been chosen as the first line of treatment [ 12 ]. Among these, we can mention non-invasive ones such as patient education, pharmacotherapy, physiotherapy, interocclusal splints, prosthetic rehabilitation, and/or minimally invasive such as arthrocentesis, hyaluronic acid injections, intra-articular injections of corticosteroids, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), oxygen–ozone therapy, and arthroscopy [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. In some cases considered as severe, when patients do not respond to the conservative treatments, more invasive and intra-articular surgical interventions are required [ 13 , 15 ].…”

“…Stem cells can be derived from two main sources, which are embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and adult stem cells, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), the most widely used in TMJ [ 16 ]. The use of these cells occurs at the process of repairing damaged tissues or those with impaired function, in order to replace and repair their normal physiology, in addition to suppressing and modulating the inflammatory process [ 11 , 15 , 17 ]. This would provide a decrease in painful symptoms, prevent progressive degeneration of cartilage and subchondral bone, therefore favoring the reestablishment of TMJ function [ 18 ].…”

Effects of Benson Relaxation Technique and Music Therapy on the Anxiety of Primiparous Women Prior to Cesarean Section: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Also, it can increase requests for analgesic medications and length of hospital stay [15,16]. Moreover, the level of perceived anxiety before childbirth is signifcantly associated with postpartum hemorrhage [17], postpartum bruxism, and temporomandibular disorder [18][19][20][21][22]. Women's mental state can have adverse efects on the fetus leading to fetal asphyxia, abnormal fetal heart rate patterns, low Apgar scores, and increased mortality [23].…”