New progress in the pathogenesis of traumatic temporomandibular joint ankylosis

Traumatic temporomandibular joint ankylosis refers to fibrous or bony fusion between the condyle and the glenoid fossa. It can cause problems with mouth-opening limitations, mastication difficulties, obstructive sleep apnea and hypopnea syndrome. When traumatic temporomandibular joint ankylosis occurs during childhood, it can cause facial asymmetry, micrognathia, and malocclusion, which significantly affect the physical and mental health. Once temporomandibular joint ankylosis occurs, it will be refractory and recurrent. The pathogenesis of temporomandibular joint ankylosis has not been completely elucidated and has always been a research hotspot in the oral and maxillofacial fields. In this paper, worldwide research was conducted, and the pathogenesis of traumatic temporomandibular joint ankylosis was clarified, such as “damage of condyle”,“disc displacement or rupture”,“damage to the glenoid fossa” and “lateral pterygoid muscle distraction”. The relative pathogenesis hypotheses were summarized, such as “hematoma organization” and “lateral pterygoid muscle distraction osteogenesis”. The related pathogenesis of traumatic temporomandibular joint ankylosis was discussed based on the latest cytology and molecular biology research.