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Advances in Clinical Management of Temporomandibular Joint Diseases

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Dear Colleagues,

The management of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) diseases remains a complex clinical challenge. Despite advancements in diagnostics, therapeutic strategies, and surgical interventions, there is a persistent need for an updated understanding of TMJ pathophysiology, clinical management, and treatment outcomes.

This Special Issue "Advances in Clinical Management of Temporomandibular Joint Diseases" aims to provide a comprehensive exploration of cutting-edge research and clinical approaches in this field. We invite submissions focusing on innovative diagnostic tools, minimally invasive and surgical treatments, patient-centered management strategies, and artificial intelligence.

By bringing together leading experts and clinicians, this Special Issue seeks to advance interdisciplinary collaborations, enhance evidence-based practices, and ultimately improve patient care. We welcome original research articles, reviews, and systematic reviews that contribute to shaping the future of TMJ disease management.

Join us in this endeavor!

Dr. João Luiz Monteiro
Guest Editor

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12 pages, 2841 KB

Open AccessArticle

Autogenous Dermal-Fat Graft Reconstruction in Temporomandibular Joint Ankylosis: Functional Outcomes, Pain Reduction, and Scar Satisfaction

by Özlem Gerginok Kaya, Ayça Özsoy and Sevil Altundağ Kahraman

J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(8), 2924; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15082924 - 12 Apr 2026

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Abstract

Background: This study aims to evaluate the functional improvement, pain reduction, and esthetic outcomes including scar satisfaction and donor-site morbidity following autogenous dermal-fat graft reconstruction for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis. Methods: This retrospective clinical study included 12 adults with TMJ ankylosis treated surgically with autogenous dermal fat graft reconstruction. Outcomes measured included pre- and postoperative maximum mouth opening (MMO), pain intensity via the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at postoperative day 2, week 1, and month 6, and scar-satisfaction scores. Changes in functional and esthetic outcomes over time and the correlation between preoperative mouth opening and postoperative pain were analyzed using appropriate parametric or non parametric tests and correlation analyses. Results: Mean MMO significantly improved from 8.17 ± 6.72 mm to 29.58 ± 5.68 mm (p = 0.002). Mean VAS pain scores declined steadily from 5.50 ± 1.88 at day 2 to 1.50 ± 1.73 at 6 months (p < 0.001). A strong negative correlation was found between preoperative MMO and postoperative pain at all intervals (p < 0.001), indicating that more severe preoperative restriction is associated with higher postoperative pain. Esthetic satisfaction was high (patients: 2.08 ± 1.38; surgeons: 1.58 ± 1.00), and donor-site morbidity was minimal. No re-ankylosis occurred during the 36-month mean follow-up. Conclusions: Autogenous dermal fat grafting for TMJ ankylosis provided favorable functional recovery, esthetic outcomes, and manageable donor site morbidity. Analysis suggests that restricted preoperative mouth opening is associated with greater postoperative pain, supporting perioperative analgesia and physiotherapy for patients. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Clinical Management of Temporomandibular Joint Diseases)

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10 pages, 716 KB

Open AccessArticle

Congenital Temporomandibular Joint Ankylosis: Investigating Potential Genetic Etiologies with Whole Exome Sequencing

by Bożena Anna Marszałek-Kruk, Krzysztof Dowgierd, Mateusz Lejawa, Małgorzata Kulesa-Mrowiecka, Wojciech Wolański, Andrzej Myśliwiec and Anna Lipowicz

J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(4), 1403; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15041403 - 11 Feb 2026

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Abstract

Background: Ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a rare developmental disorder that involves fibrous or bony fusion within the joint. It is a severe structural and functional disorder. Typically, the phenotype manifests as joint immobilization and results in facial deformity and trismus. To date, ankylosis is rarely diagnosed as congenital and its occurrence mechanism has not been thoroughly understood. We observed a female patient who as a newborn showed slight facial asymmetry and impaired mandibular retraction. In addition, non-uniform occlusal fissures were noted; the lower part of the left earlobe was slightly smaller than the right earlobe. The aim of the work was the identification of pathogenic variants in the genome related to ankylosis. Ankylosis has no known causative gene yet; thus, Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) was performed. Materials and Methods: We observed a female patient with facial asymmetry and impaired mandibular retraction from birth. No phenotypic abnormalities were noted on the head or elsewhere on the body. A diagnostic computed tomography (CT) scan of the head performed at five months of age led to the diagnosis of congenital zygomatic-coronoid ankylosis. Genomic DNA samples were subjected to WES. Library preparation was carried out using the Twist Library Preparation EF Kit 2.0, followed by target enrichment with the Twist Exome 2.0 Plus Comprehensive Exome. Sequencing reads were aligned to the human reference genome (GRCh38), and variant calling was performed using standard bioinformatics workflows. Variants were subsequently filtered, annotated, and interpreted using VariantStudio. Assessment of variant pathogenicity was primarily based on comparisons with public databases, including ClinVar and VarSome, and was supported by in silico prediction tools such as SIFT and PolyPhen-2. Results: In genes responsible for disorders of the I and II pharyngeal arches, three pathogenic variants were identified: in the genes TCOF1 and POLR1B, responsible for the development of Treacher Collins syndrome (TCS), and one in the DHODH gene, responsible for Miller syndrome. Additionally, in genes that have not been linked so far with rare facial disorders, 42 variants were identified, of which 8 are listed as pathogenic. We present the first described patient with congenital ankylosis, who, although showing no phenotypic features of these syndromes, has identified pathogenic variants in genes responsible for craniofacial dysostosis. Conclusions: Variants in TCOF1, POLR1B and DHODH may represent candidate genetic factors associated with susceptibility to ankylosis. WES analysis is an appropriate method in the case of patients with congenital diseases with unknown genetic origin. In this study we provide a comprehensive list of all identified pathogenic variants. This might be useful for scientists searching for the genetic background of skeletal system issues, one of which could be bone and fibrous tissue remodeling. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Clinical Management of Temporomandibular Joint Diseases)

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