Stress relaxation behaviors of articular cartilages in porcine temporomandibular joint.

In this study, we tested the compressive stress relaxation behaviors of the mandibular condylar and temporal cartilages in the porcine temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The aim was to determine the quantitative and qualitative similarities and differences of compressive stress relaxation behaviors between the two cartilages. Ten porcine TMJs were used; the articular surface was divided into 5 regions: anterior, central, posterior, lateral and medial.

Dynamic compressive properties of articular cartilages in the porcine temporomandibular joint.

The mandibular condylar and temporal cartilages in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) play an important role as a stress absorber during function. However, relatively little information is available on its viscoelastic properties in dynamic compression, particularly in a physiological range of frequencies. We hypothesized that these properties are region-specific and depend on loading frequency.

The region-dependent dynamic properties of porcine temporomandibular joint disc under unconfined compression.

In this study, the dynamic compressive properties in five different regions of the porcine temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc are investigated over a wide range of loading frequencies. The aim was, thus far, to evaluate the regional difference and the frequency-related effect of the applied load on these properties. Eleven porcine TMJ discs were used; each disc was divided into 5 regions, anterior, central, posterior, lateral and medial.