Locally synthesized estrogen plays an important role in the development of TMD

Estrogens have been suggested to play an important role in the development of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). However, a growing body of epidemiological, clinical and experimental researches focusing on the relationship between TMD and exogenous estrogen or serum estrogen has produced conflicting results. Recently, locally synthesized estrogens have been found and proved to contribute greatly to the function of cartilage. We hypothesize that estrogens synthesized locally in condylar cartilage have a profound effect on the development of TMD. Future investigation of local estrogen in condylar cartilage may give, at least partially, valuable evidences for the etiology and treatment strategy of TMD. In our opinion, regulating the amount and effect of locally synthesized estrogen seems to hold interesting future prospects for the treatment of TMD. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.