Association of estrogen receptor alpha 1 and TMJ dysfunction: A pilot study.

Objective: Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a multifactorial condition and the most common cause of orofacial pain, affecting mostly women, which points to a female hormone predilection. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the association between TMD and estrogen receptor alpha 1 expression in disks of patients with TMD and condyle fracture (CFx).

Study Design: Forty specimens (from 27 patients) included n = 8 CFx, n = 21 anterior disk displacement with reduction (ADDwR), and n = 11 anterior disk displacement without reduction (ADDwoR). Age, area, and intensity of immunostaining were statistically compared between CFx, ADDwR, and ADDwoR groups using analysis of variance and Kruskal-Wallis analysis (P < .05).

Results: No significant difference between CFx, ADDwR, and ADDwoR groups with respect to age and expression of estrogen receptor alpha 1 was observed on immunohistochemical examination.

Conclusion: No association of estrogen receptor alpha 1 expression and age was found in the CFx, ADDwR, and ADDwoR groups.