Transmission electron microscopic and light microscopic study of condylar and joint disk in TMJ disturbance syndrome

Temporomandibular joint disturbance syndrome (TMJDS) is a complex disease. Its etiological factors and pathologic nature are not clear still. After studying the condyles and discs of 3 normals and 14 TMJDS patients by transmission and scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy, we found: The pathologic changes of TMJDS are similar to those of osteoarthritis. These changes may be associated with the microtrauma in TMJ. There are some repair reactions after destruction of the articular cartilage. The destruction of fibrils is one of the main destruction in TMJDS. The changes of bilaminar zone may be one of the causes of treatment failure by conservative methods in some patients.