Scaffolds and Stem Cells Show Promise for TMJ Regeneration: A Systematic Review

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders represent chronic degenerative musculoskeletal conditions with a high prevalence in the general population and limited regenerative treatment options. Owing to the insufficient efficacy of current conservative and surgical therapies, there is a growing clinical need for biologically based regenerative approaches. Tissue engineering (TE), particularly scaffold-based strategies, has emerged as a promising avenue for TMJ regeneration. This systematic review analyzed preclinical in vivo studies investigating scaffold-based interventions for TMJ disc and osteochondral repair. A structured literature search of PubMed and Scopus databases identified 39 eligible studies. Extracted data included scaffold composition, use of cellular and bioactive components, animal models, and reported histological, radiological, and functional outcomes. Natural scaffolds, such as decellularized extracellular matrix and collagen-based hydrogels, demonstrated favorable biocompatibility and support for fibrocartilaginous regeneration, whereas synthetic materials including polycaprolactone, poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid), and polyvinyl alcohol provided superior mechanical stability and structural tunability. Cells were used in 17/39 studies (43%); quantitative improvements were variably reported across these studies. Bioactive molecule delivery, including transforming growth factor-β, histatin-1, and platelet-rich plasma, further enhanced tissue regeneration, while emerging drug- and gene-delivery approaches showed potential for modulating local inflammation. Despite encouraging results, the reviewed studies exhibited substantial heterogeneity in experimental design, outcome measures, and animal models, limiting direct comparison and translational interpretation. Scaffold-based approaches show preclinical promise but heterogeneity in design and incomplete quantitative reporting limit definitive conclusions. Future research should emphasize standardized methodologies, long-term functional evaluation, and the use of clinically relevant large-animal models to facilitate translation toward clinical application. However, functional and biomechanical outcomes were inconsistently reported and rarely standardized, preventing robust conclusions regarding the relationship between structural regeneration and restoration of TMJ function.