Comparative evaluation of the trabecular structure of the mandibular condyle, the levels of salivary cortisol, MMP-3, TNF-α, IL-1β in individuals with and without temporomandibular joint disorder.

OBJECTIVE

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is still a challenge in terms of diagnosis and management. The aim of this study is to explore if the evaluation of salivary biomarkers and fractal dimension (FD) of mandibular condyle could be useful for interpreting early degenerative changes and the effectiveness of salivary cortisol in determining the stress levels of TMD patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

34 patients with TMD, and 34 healthy controls were included in this study. Saliva samples were obtained from all participants between 09:00-12:00 am. Salivary cortisol, IL-1β, TNF-α, and MMP-3 levels were evaluated with ELISA method. FD of the mandibular condyle was determined by means of box-counting method. Depression and anxiety were determined with PHQ-9 and GAD-7 questionnaires.

RESULTS

The salivary cortisol and depression/anxiety were higher in study group; however, not significant (p>0.05). FD of the study group was found significantly lower than the control group (p<0.01). Salivary TNF-α, IL-1β and MMP-3 levels were showed no significant difference between the two groups (p>0.05). There were no significant correlations between the evaluated parameters.

CONCLUSION

Salivary cortisol seems to be a non-invasive way of measuring physiological stress of TMD patients. Fractal analysis may be a useful tool in detecting early structural changes in mandibular condyle. Salivary TNF-α. IL-1β and MMP-3 have not a diagnostic value in terms of interpreting early degenerative changes.