Temporomandibular joint and craniofacial research
Research group information
Unit and faculty
Contact information
Research group leader
- ProfessorAune Raustia
Research group description
Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are common in all age groups. The main symptoms and signs of TMD are: temporomandibular joint (TMJ) sounds, masticatory muscle and TMJ pain. The aim is to study epidemiology, etiology, diagnosis and treatment of TMD. Because of multifactorial etiology research concerning TMD requires close collaboration between experimental research group.
The aim is to study oral rehabilitation by means of conventional removable or fixed prostheses as well as implant supported prostheses. Lot of various materials are used in prosthodontics and we need more clinical follow-up studies concerning longevity of these materials and cost-risk-benefit of prosthetic treatment.
Research is active. New molecular biological methods used in experimental animal studies give more knowledge about TMJ pathology and clarify multifactorial etiology of TMD. Craniofacial research gives information on normal development seen in adapted adult occlusions. This offers possibility to look for epigenetic factors and genetic background in normal growth.