Temporomandibular disorders and intra-articular pressure

Temporomandibular joint is the pivot joint system in oral and maxillofacial chewing system, bearing the intricate function such as speaking and chewing movement. During the process of derangement or functional impairment of temporomandibular joint, there are some changes in radiograph or the synovial fluid physical and chemical properties. Besides, the variation of intra-articular pressure also reflects the pathological mechanism and course of temporomandibular joint disorders. This article will review our related researches on intra-articular pressure of temporomandibular joint in the last 30 years, including the fluctuating rule, its significance of intra-articular pressure in TMJ and the effect of that on the joint physiopathology and biomechanics, to provide new ideas for clinical diagnosis and treatment of temporomandibular disorders.