Relationship between the TMJ disc and condyle position on MRI and occlusal contacts on lateral excursions in TMD patients

Abstract

Confusion about the relationship between dental occlusion and the temporomandibular disorders (TMD) has been evident in the literature for many years. Previous studies have supported the concept of a multifactorial aetiology of TMD, the occlusal factor in general being of minor importance. The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between condyle and disc positions and occlusal contacts on lateral excursions of the mandible in patients with TMD. A total of 122 temporomandibular joints (TMJs) of 61 patients with TMD were evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and occlusal analyses were made clinically. Non-working-side contacts were found to be statistically significant in TMJ anterior disc displacement. No significant statistical correlation was found between the severity of anterior disc displacement and non-working-side contacts in both canine guidance and group function occlusions. There was no correlation between non-working-side contacts and condyle positions in both occlusion types in the present study. It was concluded that non-working-side contacts had some effect on disc position in TMD, however the presence of these contacts in both canine guidance and group function occlusions did not correlate with anterior disc displacement in TMD statistically. Therefore, non-working-side contacts are not to be regarded as the prime cause of anterior disc displacement.

High-Resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Temporomandibular Joint

“…3.0 T imaging of the temporomandibular joint showed consistently better overall image quality. In a patient with anterior disk displacement disk delineation and visualization of the bilaminar zone is much clearer with 3.0 T (B) versus 1.5 T (A).…”

“…To assess disk mobility PDw-TSE images were obtained also in an open-mouth position (Figs. [1][2][3].…”

“…MRI has the advantage of displaying both soft tissue and bone in the TMJ and was found to be very accurate in the assessment of the disk position, disk form, and osseous changes. [1][2][3][4] Continuous technologic improvement has led to superior diagnostic accuracy compared with state-of-the-art MRI only a decade ago. 5 MRI is currently considered the best suited imaging modality in patients with temporomandibular disorders, especially when soft tissue pathology is suspected.…”

Assessment of occlusion and temporomandibular joint after placing preformed metal crowns on all primary molars in children

“…29 Neither static nor dynamic occlusal factors, occlusal interferences, can be said to cause TMD. 10 The relationship between occlusal factors and the development of TMD is relatively low, 30 and it is not the only pathogenic factor of TMD; there some other critical pathogenic factors, such as trauma and psychologic factors. 16 Alterations in any one or a combination of teeth, periodontal ligament, the TMJ, or the muscles of mastication may lead to TMD.…”