Nanomaterials for Temporomandibular Joint Osteoarthritis Therapy: A Mini-Review.

Osteoarthritis, particularly temporomandibular joint (TMJ) osteoarthritis (OA), poses significant challenges in diagnosis and treatment. Recent studies suggest that nanomaterials hold considerable promise in treating TMJ-OA, showing validated efficacy in animal models. However, further research is required to ensure their long-term safety within the TMJ-OA environment. Nanomaterials can facilitate drug delivery and encapsulate functional cells and extracellular vesicles, offering new avenues for exploration. This paper reviews the current research status of nanomaterials in TMJ-OA treatment, including drug delivery, anti-inflammatory, lubricating and buffering, antioxidant, tissue regeneration, scaffold, and stimuli-responsive nanomaterials. Additionally, the paper explores the development and future prospects of nanomaterials in TMJOA treatment, highlighting their unique contributions and aiming to provide new perspectives and solutions for unexplored areas.