Condylar pathology in jaw dysfunction: a semi-quantitative study

The purpose of the study was to determine whether there was any correlation between temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction and structure of the mandibular condyle. Condyli from 11 patients with TMJ dysfunction were compared with condyli from 13 patients with clinically uninvolved joints. The following histologic aspects were studied: thickness of the articular soft tissue layer; presence of undifferentiated mesenchyme; progressive and regressive remodelling; and arthrosis, features that are thought to reflect the functional load to the articular surfaces. The only difference between both groups was a higher frequency of regressive remodelling in the condyli from dysfunctioning joints. No significant differences were observed with respect to the other histologic features. It seems that mechanical stress to the joint surfaces does not play a predominant role as a cause of clinical TMJ complaints.