How jaw shape affects TMJ health in adults with Class II or Class III bite differences
Official title: ATTRACT: Assessment of Temporomandibular JoinT MoRphology, Mechanics, And Mechanobiology in Class II and III Target and Surgical Phenotypes
Funded at Clemson University · NIH-11249563 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how differences in jaw shape change joint forces and tissue biology in adults with Class II or Class III bite differences to help explain TMJ pain and degeneration.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Clemson University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Clemson, United States) |
| Project start | January 15, 2022 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $549,510 |
| NIH project number | 5U01DE031512-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11249563 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults (21+) with Class II or Class III craniofacial/jaw skeletal differences, including those considering or having had orthognathic surgery, are ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without jaw skeletal deformities (Class I occlusion), children under 21, or those unwilling/unable to attend imaging and clinic visits are unlikely to benefit directly from participation.
What this research studies
If you join, the team will use 3-D imaging and measurements of jaw movement to see how bone shape changes the way forces are born by the temporomandibular joint. They will combine those mechanical measurements with laboratory studies of joint tissues and cells to understand how loading affects joint biology. The work includes people with Class II (retrognathism) and Class III (prognathism) jaw patterns and follows surgical patients to see how changing jaw shape alters joint mechanics and biology. Results will compare men and women and aim to explain why TMJ degeneration is more common in some groups.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could help predict who is at higher risk for TMJ degeneration and guide surgical planning or other treatments to protect joint health.
How similar studies have gone: Previous imaging and biomechanical studies have linked jaw shape to TMJ problems, but combining detailed mechanics with tissue-level biology in surgical patients is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
Clemson University
Clemson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yao, Hai — Clemson University
- Study coordinator: Yao, Hai
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.