Evaluation of Articular Eminence Morphology in Patients with Spontaneous Temporomandibular Joint Dislocation Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography

Abstract

This study aimed to broaden our understanding of the predisposing factor and treatment of dislocation by analyzing and evaluating the morphology of the articular eminence (AE) in subjects with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dislocation using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).Methods: Methods: The subjects were divided into two groups: dislocation (31 subjects) and control (32 subjects). CBCT was used to examine 126 TMJs in 63 subjects (26 males, 37 females). The height, width, and posterior slope of the AE were measured in the parasagittal plane. The posterior slope was measured using the "top-roof line angle (TR angle)" method and the "best-fit line angle (BF angle)" method. The AE on the left side (AEL) and the AE on the right side (AER) of the subjects in the dislocation group were separately analyzed and compared with the control group after taking measurements. The average value of both sides was used when comparing with subjects with bilateral dislocation.Results: Results: Dislocations were more frequent in females (67.7%) than in males (32.3%). The dislocation group showed a gentler TR angle than the control group in the AER and in the average of AE on the both sides (AEB). The same group also showed a wider AE in the AEL and the AER (p<0.05). In subjects with unilateral dislocation, the width of the AE with dislocation was narrower and the TR angle and BF angle was steeper than the other side without dislocation (p<0.05). Conclusions: Conclusions:In subjects with unilateral TMJ dislocation, the posterior slope of the AE is steeper, and the width is narrower at the site of dislocation compared to the site without dislocation. However, in subjects with bilateral TMJ dislocation, AEB were wider, and the mean value of the posterior slope of AEB was gentler than that of the control group.