Inflammatory markers in temporomandibular joint disorders

Abstract

Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) have a chronic and progressive character. Multifactorial etiology of the disorders and difficulties in detection of first signs and symptoms caused, in many cases, symptomatic treatment approach. The essential is to establish the sensitive and specific diagnostic methods for early causal treatment possibilities. Clinical examination and imaging techniques do not always allow the full view of the ongoing disease. The concentration of inflammation indicators, such as C – reactive protein (CRP) is not a specific tool, which does not indicate any specific disease, but the synovial fluid markers, such as cytokines and proteinases, could allow detect the early bony deterioration in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which is not visible on radiographic imaging. Although, the small amount of collected fluid from the joint and specialist laboratory procedures are not regularly obtain in daily practice. Although, early detection of tissues damaged, would enable clinicians to introduce proper treatment and prevent irreversible degenerative changes in TMJ.