Comparing microstructural and micromechanical deformation of the TMJ disc in two anterior disc displacement models

Objective Anterior disc displacement (ADD) has been used to establish temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) models. Based on whether preserve of the retrodiscal attachment, the modelling methodologies include ADD with dissecting the retrodiscal attachment (ADDwd) and ADD without dissecting the retrodiscal attachment (ADDwod). This article aims to determine which model better matches the micromechanical and microstructural progression of TMD. Methods Through meticulous microscopic observations, the microstructure and micromechanical deformation of the TMJ discs in ADDwd and ADDwod rabbit models were compared at 2 and 20 weeks. Result Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy showed that collagen fibres became slenderized and straightened, collagen fibrils lost diameter and arrangement in the ADDwd group at 2 weeks. Meanwhile, nanoindentation and atomic electron microscopy showed that the micro‐ and nano‐ mechanical properties decreased dramatically. However, the ADDwod group exhibited no significant microstructure and micromechanical deformations at 2 weeks. Dissection of the retrodiscal attachment contribute in the acceleration of disease progression at the early stage, the devastating discal phenotype remained fundamentally the same within the two models at 20 weeks. Conclusion ADDwod models, induced stable and persistent disc deformation, therefore, can better match the progression of TMD. While ADDwd models can be considered for experiments which aim to obtain advanced phenotype in a short time. Based on whether made an additional dissection, this study established two rabbit models: ADD with dissecting the retrodiscal attachment (ADDwd) and ADD without dissecting the retrodiscal attachment (ADDwod). The microstructural and micromechanical deformation was detected by high‐resolution microscopy and nanoindentation. At the early stage, collagen fibres and fibrils deformed significantly in ADDwd, while that kept origin characteristics in ADDwod. At the advanced stage, the devastating discal phenotype remained fundamentally the same within the two models.