AbstractOsteoarthritis is a pathological process defined as a non-inflammatory, focal degenerative
disorder of synovial joints primarily affecting the articular cartilage and subchondral bone.
For temporomandibular joint (TMJ), it is defined as an interruption in the smooth continu-
ity of the articular surfaces of the disc, condyle and articular eminence2'. Changes in condy-
lar morphology are commonly found in patients with osteoarthritic TMJ. While osteoarthri-
tis is a pathological process affecting the articular cartilage, remodeling is a physiological
process that occurs in the TMJ, in which a process of reversible biologic adaptation to al-
tered environmental circumstances leads to changes of the structure or morphology of the
tissue concerned31. Reparative alterations in shape of the mandibular condyle in a patient
with osteoarthritis have been observed following conservative treatment with a stabilization
splint in this case. These morphologic changes presumably represent the normal functional
remodeling stimulated by altered mechanical stresses imposed on the TMJ after splint
therapy. The conventional treatment of patients with osteoarthritis have mainly focused on
the symptom management. As evidenced in this particular clinical case, however, treat-
ment objectives should include not only the relief of symptoms but also morphological im-
provement of the previously eroded mandibular condyles and recovery of the cortical lining
of the articular surfaces of the TMJ.
Osteoarthritis is a pathological process defined as a non-inflammatory, focal degenerative disorder of synovial joints primarily affecting the articular cartilage and subchondral bone. For temporomandibular joint (TMJ), it is defined as an interruption in the smooth continuity of the articular surfaces of the disc, condyle and articular eminence. Changes in condylar morphology are commonly found in patients with osteoarthritic TMJ. While osteoarthritis is a pathological process affecting the articular cartilage, remodeling is a physiological process that occurs in the TMJ, in which a process of reversible biologic adaptation to altered environmental circumstances leads to changes of the structure or morphology of the tissue concerned31. Reparative alterations in shape of the mandibular condyle in a patient with osteoarthritis have been observed following conservative treatment with a stabilization splint in this case. These morphologic changes presumably represent the normal functional remodeling stimulated by altered mechanical stresses imposed on the TMJ after splint therapy. The conventional treatment of patients with osteoarthritis have mainly focused on the symptom management. As evidenced in this particular clinical case, however, treatment objectives should include not only the relief of symptoms but also morphological improvement of the previously eroded mandibular condyles and recovery of the cortical lining of the articular surfaces of the TMJ.
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