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Updated: Jan 24, 2026

Systematic Assessment of Mammalian Skull Specimens for Dental and Temporomandibular Joint Pathology
Published on: August 22, 2022
Condylotomy to Reverse Temporomandibular Joint Osteoarthritis in Rabbits
Edela Puricelli1, Felipe Ernesto Artuzi2, Deise Ponzoni3
1Full Professor, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre; Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul School of Dentistry, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
Purpose:
Osteoarthritis (OA) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is characterized by local tissue degeneration and pain. Treatments have been aimed at reducing symptoms, and only some can interfere with the progression of pathophysiologic changes caused by OA. Condylotomy is an alternative treatment for patients with OA refractory to conventional treatment. The aim of the present animal study was to investigate the influence of condylotomy on TMJ OA in New Zealand rabbits.
Materials And Methods:
The 36 rabbits were divided into 3 groups: the osteoarthritis group (OG; induced OA), treatment group (TG; induced OA plus condylotomy), and control group (CG; neither OA nor surgery). OA was induced using intra-articular monosodium iodoacetate injection for 40 days. The rabbits in the TG underwent condylotomy and were killed 20, 40, and 60 days after treatment. The rabbits in the CG and OG were killed at the same points.
Results:
The articular joint condition was better in the TG 60 days after surgery (P = .032). A direct comparison revealed regression of TMJ OA over time among the treated rabbits (P = .008). Surgical treatment promoted mandibular condylar remodeling in the TG, reversing the tissue degeneration caused by OA.
Conclusions:
Our findings suggest that condylotomy could be an option for the treatment of OA and prevent damage to TMJ structures. This could be of particular importance for patients without satisfactory responses to more conservative treatment.
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