Comparative cone-beam computed tomography evaluation of the osseous morphology of the temporomandibular joint in temporomandibular dysfunction patients and asymptomatic individuals

Abstract

We examined the bone components of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in asymptomatic individuals and patients with temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Two hundred asymptomatic individuals and 200 patients with TMD were included in this study. Condyle position, eminence height, eminence inclination, condyle shape, and fossa shape were assessed on CBCT images of the 800 temporomandibular joints.

The eminence inclination (P < 0.05), eminence height (P < 0.0001), mediolateral width of condyle (P < 0.0001), and anterior joint space (P < 0.0001) were significantly greater in male subjects compared with female subjects in both the asymptomatic group and TMD group. Comparisons of the asymptomatic group and TMD group revealed significant differences in the anterior joint space (P < 0.0001), ratio of anterior joint space to posterior joint space (P < 0.001), posterior joint space (P < 0.05), eminence inclination (P < 0.05), eminence height (P < 0.05), condyle shape (P < 0.0001), and fossa shape (P < 0.05).

The present analyses suggest that a steeper articular eminence inclination may be risk factor for TMD. The presence of TMD was associated with the condyle position in the TMJ.