The prospective use of COX-2 inhibitors for the treatment of temporomandibular joint inflammatory disorders.

Development of a new class of drugs designed to selectively inhibit the inducible cyclooxygenase isoenzyme, COX-2, was initially prescribed for individuals diagnosed with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Although these inflammatory disorders are more typically related to the joints of the knee, ankle, or hand, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) plays a special role due to its involvement in our normal day-to-day activities of eating and communicating. The TMJ, unlike most of the other joints, contains some unique morphological characteristics that support various inflammatory disorders. An overview of these characteristics and the prospective use of the COX-2 inhibitors for temporomandibular joint inflammation are presented.