2008 Report of NIDCR's TMJ Implant Registry and Repository

Objective: The University of Minnesota School of Dentistry has completed the 5th year of development of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research's TMJ Implant Registry and Repository (NIDCR's TIRR). This is a national registry and repository established to collect clinical information and biological specimens on TMJ disorders patients and TMJ implants to stimulate more research in TMJ disorders and TMJ implants.

Methods: Clinical data, retrieved implants, and biological TMJ specimens have been collected from several populations: TMJD cases, TMJD implant cases, and controls. Subjects completed a self report questionnaire and a calibrated examination following RDC/TMD protocols. Blood, saliva, and TMJ tissue were collected using standardized protocols in coordination with TMJ surgery.

Results: At the time of this abstract, the tissue specimens from well characterized TMJD subjects are available from 552 subjects with DNA, 573 with blood, 352 with serum, 305 with saliva, and 139 subjects with one or more TMJ tissue specimens. In addition, data is available from over 1700 consenting participants including: 907 new subjects from TIRR TMJD database, 10 year follow-up of 450 patients with either TMJ surgery with/without implants and non-surgical treatment, and a 3 year longitudinal database of 600 subjects who have early stage TMD. This data and specimens are available research projects with affiliated researchers registered with TIRR. Registration can be completed at http:// tmjregistry.org, for researchers link. A summary of research projects are included in other abstracts as well as on the web site.

Conclusions: These materials can be used in research to provide information for the development of improved TMJD diagnosis, treatment and TMJ implants. NIDCR's TIRR has made the clinical data, retrieved implants, and biological TMJ specimens available for use by basic and clinical research. Please see http://tmjregistry.org. supported by NIDCR/N01-DE-22635.