New Method for Analysis of the Temporomandibular Joint Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography

Abstract

Modern dentistry commonly uses a variety of imaging methods to support diagnosis and treatment. Among them, cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is particularly useful in presenting head structures, such as the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The determination of the morphology of the joint is an important part of the diagnosis as well as the monitoring of the treatment results. It can be accomplished by measurement of the TMJ gap width at three selected places, taken at a specific cross-section. This study presents a new approach to these measurements. First, the CBCT images are denoised using curvilinear methods, and the volume of interest is determined. Then, the orientation of the vertical cross-section plane is computed based on segmented axial sections of the TMJ head. Finally, the cross-section plane is used to determine the standardized locations, at which the width of the gap between condyle and fossa is measured. The elaborated method was tested on selected TMJ CBCT scans with satisfactory results. The proposed solution lays the basis for the development of an autonomous method of TMJ index identification.

Intra-Articular Injections into the Inferior versus Superior Compartment of the Temporomandibular Joint: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…This dysfunction causes disc clicking, hence inflammation manifested by articular pain and reduced mandibular mobility, resulting in deterioration in patient-reported quality of life [ 6 , 7 ]. The severity of the above, along with imaging tests, allows for classifying the internal derangement stage [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ]. Depending on the severity of the temporomandibular disorders, treatment regimens consist of pharmacotherapy, physiotherapy, occlusal rearrangement (including splint therapy), intra-muscular injections, intra-articular injections, and arthroplasty [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ].…”

Changes of Temporomandibular Joint Morphology and Symptoms in Class II Malocclusion Patients With Bilateral Sagittal Split Ramous Osteotomy

“…CBCT is the most convenient and cheapest examination method to clearly display the TMJ structure at present. 18,19 We evaluated the effect of OGS on the condylar fossa relationship and joint morphology by measuring and analyzing the CBCT images of Class II patients treated with BSSRO surgery before and after surgery. Sagittal analysis of fossacondyle position is the most effective and meaningful method.…”

Differential Diagnosis of Cysts and Granulomas Supported by Texture Analysis of Intraoral Radiographs

“…Here, similarly as in other techniques, an additional structure is present. The matrix stores information about the absolute illumination changes between a central pixel and the average illumination of its neighborhood I W in a square window with sides of length W. Each entry of the matrix describes a sum of differences for a chosen intensity level, as presented in Equation (17):…”

“…Therefore, accurate diagnosis is highly welcomed by the clinical community, although this contemporarily still relies on histologic examination, with poor outcomes for intraoral radiography and unsatisfactory results for cone beam tomography (CBCT) [15,16]. However, CBCT scans find their application in determining the key parameters of temporomandibular joint fissures, which allow verifying whether the ponds look and work properly [17].…”