Comparative assessment of condylar position in patients with temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and asymptomatic patients using cone-beam computed tomography

Abstract

Background. Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are the most common reason of non-dental pain in the orofacial region. A clinical examination of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) with additional imaging is the most recommended procedure for TMD diagnosis. Objectives. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between TMD and the condylar position in the glenoid fossa by examining a group of patients suffering from TMD compared with a control group of patients without TMD. In this study, we used cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images for measurements. Material and methods. Sixty-five symptomatic joints were selected from 48 patients with TMD. Sixtyfive joints were selected from a total of 96 asymptomatic joints in the control group. The superior, anterior and posterior area of the joint, and the steepness of the articular eminence were measured on the CBCT images. The data was analyzed using Pearson's χ 2 test. Results. The position of the condyle was significantly more posterior in the joints with TMD, and more anterior and centric in the asymptomatic joints. Statistically, the vertical position of the condyle and the steepness of the articular eminence had no significant relation with the occurrence of TMD. Conclusions. In this study, we observed that the posterior condylar position is more common in TMD patients, but it is not the reason for diagnosing TMD, and the reason of the posterior position of the condyle should be investigated before any decisions pertaining to treatment are made. In future, studies should focus on evaluating how the position of the condyle will change after the treatment of patients with TMD.

Does the horizontal condylar angle have a relationship to temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis and condylar position? A cone-beam computed tomography study

“…The authors did not find any studies in the literature investigating the relationship between condylar position and HCA. However, some studies found the posterior condylar position was associated with any TMD [18,22,28]. Cho et al [4] concluded the posterior condylar position was more common in joints with osseous changes.…”

“…The importance of condylar position on TMJ health is a controversial issue. The predominant opinion is that TMD patients generally have a posterior condylar position [4,18,22,28]. However, some authors have suggested no significant association between condylar position and clinical or radiological findings of TMJ [19,24].…”

Is There an Association between Temporomandibular Disorders and Articular Eminence Inclination? A Systematic Review

“…The reasons for the exclusion of the articles were recorded in an adjacent column and presented in the results (Table 2). [25] Quantitative data of AEI is not shown Piancino, 2020 [16] Concerning on TMDs patients with or without condylar asymmetry Sa, 2017 [26] Patients with degenerative bone diseases Rabelo, 2017 [27] No direct relationship between fossa shape and TMDs Türp, 2016 [28] No direct relationship between AEI and TMDs Su, 2014 [29] Grouping of the glenoid fossa is not cleaṙ Ilgüy, 2014 [30] The diagnosis of participates is not clear Çaglayan, 2014 [31] Same data as Sümbüllü, 2012 [3] Learreta, 2013 [32] Group divided based on alterations in the condylar axis Robinson de Senna, 2009 [33] No description of the morphology of the fossa Hirata, 2007 [34] Sample size is too small Kurita, 2006 [35] Morphological research Tanaka, 2004 [8] Dry skull study, no TMDs diagnosis Pullinger, 2001 [36] Same data as Pullinger, 2002 [19] Kurita, 2000 [37] Grouping is not clear Toyama, 1999 [38] Only the relationship between disk and fossa…”

Angular measurements of the mandible in adults with temporomandibular joint disorders: a CBCT study

“…It can be thought in line with the data in the literature that; angular differences in the mandible may transmit the masticatory force to the TMJ in different unwanted ways, and this may cause joint disease due to the formation of abnormal Angular measurements of the mandible in adults with temporomandibular joint disorders: a CBCT study forces in the joint area. [6][7][8] Studies on TMJ patients have been focused on the mandibular condyle, mandibular morphology, and morphological changes in the joint disc. [6][7][8] However, the studies on the relationship of mandibular angular differences with TMD are limited.…”

“…[6][7][8] Studies on TMJ patients have been focused on the mandibular condyle, mandibular morphology, and morphological changes in the joint disc. [6][7][8] However, the studies on the relationship of mandibular angular differences with TMD are limited. The aim of this study, therefore, was to evaluate the relationship between mandibular angular parameters and TMD via cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and show whether certain angles of the mandible will differ in the TMD patients from the healthy individuals.…”