Temporomandibular joint diagnostics using CBCT

Abstract

The present review will give an update on temporomandibular joint (TMJ) imaging using CBCT. It will focus on diagnostic accuracy and the value of CBCT compared with other imaging modalities for the evaluation of TMJs in different categories of patients; osteoarthritis (OA), juvenile OA, rheumatoid arthritis and related joint diseases, juvenile idiopathic arthritis and other intra-articular conditions. Finally, sections on other aspects of CBCT research related to the TMJ, clinical decision-making and concluding remarks are added. CBCT has emerged as a cost-and dose-effective imaging modality for the diagnostic assessment of a variety of TMJ conditions. The imaging modality has been found to be superior to conventional radiographical examinations as well as MRI in assessment of the TMJ. However, it should be emphasized that the diagnostic information obtained is limited to the morphology of the osseous joint components, cortical bone integrity and subcortical bone destruction/production. For evaluation of soft-tissue abnormalities, MRI is mandatory. There is an obvious need for research on the impact of CBCT examinations on patient outcome.

Conditions and calibration to obtain comparable grey values between different clinical cone beam computed tomography scanners

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6] As the CBCT is an X-ray-based device, the dense materials of hard tissues (i.e. bone and tooth) absorb more radiation energy than soft tissues (i.e.…”

Morphological Variations of the Condyle Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography – A Retrospective Study.

“…The type of morphology of the condyle on imaging creates an initial environment, which is continuously modified throughout life based on the type of mastication of the individual and also due to the fact that this acts as a primary growth centre 10 . Diagnosis of the degenerative changes affecting the TMJ can be done more accurately using CBCT which provides images at a lower exposure than CT 2 The results of our study revealed that in coronal section, convex morphology was more commonly observed(49%) followed by round(23%).This was in accordance with the study conducted by Yale et.al(1966) 5 .…”

Métodos De Imagem Empregados No Diagnóstico Das Alterações Da Articulação Temporomandibular: Uma Revisão De Literatura

“…Em contrapartida, a TCCB limita-se apenas a avaliação dos componentes ósseos, e ao diagnóstico de alterações presentes nas estruturas ósseas da ATM, ou seja, o mesmo não é indicado para avaliar tecidos moles dessa articulação 21 . Dessa forma, quando for necessária a avaliação por imagem dos tecidos moles, nos casos de lesões, o exame de escolha deve ser inicialmente a RM, assim como, para diagnosticar possíveis alterações e/ou lesões da ATM, a TCCB será indicada somente quando essas alterações estiverem comprometendo os componentes ósseos dessa articulação Além disso, alguns autores destacam que, mesmo apresentando limitações, a RM e a TCCB representam, quando associados, métodos de imagem importantes para diagnosticar alterações tanto nos componentes ósseos quanto nos tecidos moles da ATM 8 .…”