Histologic examination of the temporomandibular joint after mandibular advancement with and without rigid fixation: An experimental investigation in adult Macaca mulatta

Edward Ellis, Robert J. Hinton

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

106 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study evaluated the histologic response of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) following mandibular advancement using rigid and nonrigid fixation in monkeys. Twelve adult female rhesus monkeys underwent sagittal ramus osteotomies with advancement. Six of them were placed into maxillomandibular fixation (MMF); six underwent bicortical bone-screw fixation without MMF. Changes in condylar position were quantified using lateral cephalograms with the aid of bone markers. The animals were killed at 6 weeks and the TMJs were prepared for histologic analysis. Three measures of condylar cartilage thickness were obtained for each animal and were correlated to changes in position of the condyle. Animals who underwent MMF showed a tendency for anterior movement of the condyles; animals who underwent rigid fixation showed a tendency for posterior condylar position. Thicker cartilage layers were found in the MMF animals. Animals who had posterior displacement of the condyles showed evidence of resorption of the posterior surface of the condyle and anterior surface of the postglenoid spine. There was a significant correlation between a change in the horizontal position of the condyle and the thickness of the posterior aspect of the condylar cartilage. The results of this study indicate that alterations in condylar position may induce remodeling changes within the TMJ.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1316-1327
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Volume49
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1991
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oral Surgery
  • Surgery
  • Otorhinolaryngology

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