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Elevated levels of inflammatory molecules, matrix metalloproteinases, and oxidative stress markers play a central role in diagnosing TMDs and guiding personalized treatment strategies.
A new systematic review revealed that specific biomarkers in blood, saliva, and jaw joint fluid could play a critical role in diagnosing and treating temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), conditions that cause jaw pain and significantly affect quality of life.
The study analyzed 46 research articles from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, including observational studies and randomized controlled trials. Joana Maria Soares and other researchers focused on biomarkers found in blood, synovial fluid, saliva, and tissue. Study quality was determined via the Cochrane Risk of Bias tools. Notably, 3 randomized trials and most observational studies were judged to have “few concerns” linked to bias.
The review detected several key biomarkers linked to TMD. Heightened levels of inflammatory molecules—interleukins 1ß and 6, prostaglandin E2, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) —were consistently associated with TMJ inflammation. Raised matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-9) depicted cartilage deterioration, while oxidative stress markers, like malondialdehyde, were elevated in those with TMD compared to healthy individuals.
Importantly, interventions including hyaluronic acid injections, platelet-rich plasma therapy, and low-level laser therapy were shown to decrease inflammatory biomarkers and improve clinical outcomes such as pain relief and jaw function. These findings suggest that monitoring biomarker levels could help clinicians tailor therapies to individual patients, enabling more precise and personalized treatment approaches.
To sum up, biomarkers not only enhance understanding of TMD’s underlying mechanisms but also hold promise for guiding future diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
The Role of Biomarkers in Temporomandibular Disorders: A Systematic Review
Joana Maria Soares et al.
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