National Institute of Dental ResearchÇƒÙs TMJ Implant Registry and Repository

National Institute of Dental ResearchÇƒÙs TMJ Implant Registry and Repository
J. FRICTON, S. MYERS, L. KEHL, J. LOOK, J. SWIFT, and P. CARLSON, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
2005
IADR
The use of alloplastic implants in the TMJ has been controversial. An estimated 100,000 patients have received alloplastic TMJ implants nationally with complications and resultant implant failure being reported in many patients. As a result, in 1992, the FDA and the AAOMS recommended that all patients with TMJ implants be closely monitored long-term. Although the long-term data on TMJ implants and patient responses are essential to patient safety concerns and the development process for TMJ implants, there has been no systematic program for the retrieval and analysis of TMJ implants. In 2002, the National Institute of Dental Research sponsored the development of the TMJ implant registry and repository (TIRR) to provide a mechanism to fill this need.
Objectives: The overall goal of the project is to recruit consenting patients who have had or will have TMJ implants, and collect clinical data on their genotypic and immunological profile. If the patients have TMJ surgery, the project is designed to acquire and store blood, TMJ tissues, DNA, and retrieved TMJ implant for further analysis.
Methods: The project has developed both a web-based information system to establish a secure and confidential electronic patient record, and a state-of-the-art repository for storage and retrieval of human tissues. The contents of the database, biological samples, and retrieved implants will be made available to basic and clinical researchers nationally for further study.
Results: The project has currently recruited over 450 patients from over 10 states during the first year of recruitment. We are currently recruiting clinicians and patients throughout the U.S. and Canada for participation and will expand internationally in the next year.
Conclusion: This presentation will focus on the current status of TIRR, and the characteristics of the participants and research projects associated with it. This project is supported by NIDCR contract No. N01-DE-22635.