Nonsurgical Treatment of Anterior Disk Displacement Without Reduction of the Temporomandibular Joint: A Case Report on the Relationship between Condylar Rotation and Translation

Farrar reported that in chronic anterior disk displacement without reduction (ADD w/o R) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), the range of mandibular movement gradually increases and the condylar movement normal-disk is still displaced anteriorly. The relationship between condylar rotation and translation was studied in opening/closing jaw movements before and after joint stabilization splint therapy in a patient with ADD w/o R. Movements were recorded by means of an optoelectronic jaw tracking system (Metropoly, Jaws-3D) consisting of three cameras that register the position of six light-emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted on two target frames separately attached to the upper and lower jaw. A computer produced plots of the condylar paths in the sagittal, frontal, and horizontal plane, as well as the opening angle against the anterior condylar translation. Results indicated some variations in the relationship between condylar rotation and translation during jaw opening movement. In the joint with ADD w/o R an increase in anterior condylar translation was found and the relationship between rotation and translation became more linear after joint stabilization therapy. This study supported a hypothesis of Farrar's that condylar movement in chronic ADD w/o R is similar to that expected in asymptomatic TMJs.     

Three‐dimensional analysis of jaw kinematic alterations in patients with chronic TMD – disc displacement with reduction

The study investigated whether chronic TMD patients with disc displacement with reduction (DDR), performing non‐assisted maximum jaw movements, presented any changes in their mandibular kinematics with respect to an age‐matched control group. Moreover, it was examined whether jaw kinematics and a valid clinic measure of oro‐facial functional status have significant associations. Maximum mouth opening, mandible protrusion and bilateral laterotrusions were performed by 20 patients (18 women, 2 men; age, 18–34 years) and 20 healthy controls (17 women, 3 men; age, 20–31 years). The three‐dimensional coordinates of their mandibular interincisor and condylar reference points were recorded by means of an optoelectronic motion analyser and were used to quantitatively assess their range of motion, velocity, symmetry and synchrony. Three functional indices (opening–closing, mandibular rototranslation, laterotrusion – right and left – and protrusion) were devised to summarise subject's overall performance, and their correlation with the outcome of a clinical protocol, the oro‐facial myofunctional evaluation with scores (OMES), was investigated. TMD patients were able to reach maximum excursions of jaw movements comparable to healthy subjects’ performances. However, their opening and closing mandibular movements were characterised by remarkable asynchrony of condylar translation. They had also reduced jaw closing velocity and asymmetric laterotrusions. The functional indices proved to well summarise the global condition of jaw kinematics, highlighting the presence of alterations in TMD‐DDR patients, and were linearly correlated with the oro‐facial functional status. The jaw kinematic alterations seem to reflect both oro‐facial motor behaviour adaptation and a DDR‐related articular impairment.     

联合动态MRI和下颌运动轨迹描记仪分析健康人开闭口时下颌运动轨迹特征

目的：结合动态MRl分析健康人开闭口时下颌运动轨迹特征。方法：18例健康人最大开闭口过程进行动态MRI和下颌运动轨迹描记仪检查，分析髁状突及下颌前牙切点的运动特点及范围。结果：动态MRI显示闭口位关节盘本体部呈双凹形，本体部位于髁状突横嵴的前方（盘分界角〈10。）。健康人下颁前牙切点运动轨迹平滑，双侧运动中心运动轨迹左右对称；运动轴始终保持平行，呈现开闭口初、末时密度比开闭口中时大；运动中心运动距离（13．2±3．1）mm，切点运动距离（41．1±3．8）mm。结论：下颌运动轨迹描记能记录髁状突运动轨迹并且间接反映颞下颌关节的关节盘在开闭口运动中的位置变化情况，为初步建立下颌运动轨迹描记对辅助诊断关节病的参考标准奠定了基础。     

Dynamic intra-articular space variation in clicking TMJs

During mandibular movement, the geometric relationships of the articular surfaces in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) change, so that the disc undergoes different stress concentrations with respect to time and position. In this study, we compared the intra-articular space variations of 13 clicking and 15 asymptomatic TMJs for jaw opening/closing. Magnetic resonance imaging and jaw tracking were combined to display the motion of the whole condyle within the fossa. In clicking TMJs, the mediolateral spread s of the stress-field trajectories was 2.4 +/- 1.0 mm (s(max) = 4.9 +/- 2.1 mm) with an aspect ratio a/h of 2.5 +/- 1.6, both significantly greater than in controls (p < 0.05). The stress-field trajectories of the controls coincided during opening/closing (s = 0.9 +/- 0.2 mm, s(max) = 1.8 +/- 0.8 mm, a/h = 1.6 +/- 0.3). Clicking TMJs showed much less coincident stress-field paths and much "flatter" stress-fields than controls during jaw opening/closing.     

Development of an experimental optoelectronic device to study the amplitude of mandibular movements

This study aimed to present a wireless mandibular motion tracking device and optoelectronic data acquisition system developed to analyze the real-time spatial motion of the entire mandible during mouth opening and closing with no restriction of any movement. The procedures were divided into three phases: confection of a kinematic arch, dynamic digital video image acquisition, and image processing and analysis by using graphic computation. Four sequences of jaw opening/closing movements were recorded in lateral view: two from the maximum intercuspation (MIC) and the other two from a forced mandibular retruded position. Jaw motion was recorded by a digital video camera and processed as spatial coordinates corresponding to the position variation of the markers in the kinematic arch. The results showed that the method was capable of recording and processing the dynamics of the mandibular movements during jaw opening/closing using pixel-magnitude points. The mandible showed points with less displacement located near the temporomandibular joint during the opening/closing movements from the mandibular retruded position. When the jaw movements were recorded from MIC, these points were located near the mandibular foramen.     

Cinematic study of temporomandibular joint motion using ultra-fast magnetic resonance imaging

Magnetic Resonance Images (MRI) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) are usually performed to study the opening/closing movements of the mandible and have up to now been pseudodynamic step-by-step images simulating condylar motion by post-processing reconstruction. The aim of this study was: 1. to optimize a TMJ cine-imaging method to give a better clinical result than the step-by-step methods; 2. to develop an ultra-fast MRI Gradient Echo (GE) sequence for this purpose; and 3. to analyze condylar movements in the sagittal, coronal and para-axial planes during border mandibular displacements and chewing. Both TM joints were studied in six asymptomatic volunteers. The method involved a compromise between in-plane resolution, slice thickness, signal-to-noise ratio and time resolution. Routine clinical use was found to be a GE pulse sequence providing three images per second with an isometric voxel resolution of approximately two millimeters in ridge. This did not allow visualization of the disk. Using this sequence enabled real and simultaneous condylar displacement observation in the three planes of space and therefore contributed to a better functional diagnosis of pathologic TMJ motions.     

Cinematic Study of Temporomandibular Joint Motion Using Ultra-fast Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Magnetic Resonance Images (MRI) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) are usually performed to study the opening/closing movements of the mandible and have up to now been pseudodynamic step-by- step images simulating condylar motion by post-processing reconstruction. The aim of this study was: 1. to optimize a TMJ cine-imaging method to give a better clinical result than the step-by-step methods; 2. to develop an ultra-fast MRI Gradient Echo (GE) sequence for this purpose; and 3. to analyze condylar movements in the sagittal, coronal and para-axial planes during border mandibular displacements and chewing. Both TM joints were studied in six asymptomatic volunteers. The method involved a compromise between in-plane resolution, slice thickness, signal-to-noise ratio and time resolution. Routine clinical use was found to be a GE pulse sequence providing three images per second with an isometric voxel resolution of approximately two millimeters in ridge. This did not allow visualization of the disk. Using this sequence enabled real and simultaneous condylar displacement observation in the three planes of space and therefore contributed to a better functional diagnosis of pathologic TMJ motions.     

Influence of balancing‐side occlusal interference on smoothness of working‐side condylar movement and intra‐articular space in chewing efforts

Response of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) articulation adapting to occlusal alteration has been sparsely known. For 10 healthy adults with acceptably good occlusion, an artificial occlusal interference (OI) was introduced to the lower molar on the balancing side of unilateral chewing. Subjects were asked to chew a gum on their preferred side. The chewing jaw movements with/without the OI were recorded using a video‐based optoelectronic system. The mandibular movements were generated in each individual's TMJ model reconstructed by magnetic resonance images. The smoothness of local condylar point movements towards the normal direction of the condylar surface and interarticular space on the working side was measured. Overall, the smoothness of condylar point movements in the closing phase was impaired immediately after introduction of the OI. In the intercuspal phase, the OI increased the joint space. After about 60 chewing cycles, the movement smoothness and joint space began to recover. These findings suggest that OI on the balancing side induced irregular stress field translation on the working‐side condylar surface followed by acute recovery process.     

Analysis of temporomandibular joint function after orthognathic surgery using condylar path tracings

Condylar path tracings provide quantitative and qualitative data regarding the functional status of the temporomandibular joint. This study was designed to identify the functional status of the TMJ by means of condylar path tracings before treatment and to monitor the response of the TMJ to orthognathic surgery. Baseline data for condylar tracings using a sagittal recording device were established in relation to normal limits for opening, protrusive, and medial excursions of the mandible. In 54 patients 108 joints were studied before and up to 1 year after orthognathic surgery. Internal derangements were identified with condylar tracings before treatment in 72% of all joints studied. Also, condylar tracings identified internal derangements that were not found on clinical examination in 11 of 39 patients. Functional adaptation of the TMJ was found to be more favorable for mandibular reduction and maxillary impaction than for mandibular advancement or combined upper and lower jaw procedures. Condylar path tracings were shown to represent a noninvasive technique to identify and monitor the functional status of the TMJ in response to surgical orthodontics.     

Stress-field translation in the healthy human temporomandibular joint

Movement over the surface of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc produces tractional forces. These forces potentially increase the magnitude of shear stresses and contribute to wear and fatigue of the disc. Theoretically, tractional forces in all synovial joints are the result of frictional forces, due to rubbing of the cartilage surfaces, and plowing forces, due to translation of the stress-field through the cartilage matrix as the joint surface congruency changes during motion. For plowing forces to occur in the TMJ, there must be mediolateral translation of the stress-field as the condyle moves dorsoventrally during jaw function. To test whether mediolateral stress-field translation occurs in the intact TMJ, we measured stress-field position and translation velocities in ten normal individuals during rhythmic jaw opening and closing. Magnetic resonance imaging and jaw tracking were combined to animate the three-dimensional position of the stress-field between the articulating surfaces. This allowed for mediolateral translation velocity measurements of the centroid of the stress-field. The results showed that during jaw opening and closing at 0.5 Hz, the average peak mediolateral translation velocity was 35 +/- 17 mm/sec. When opening and closing increased to 1.0 Hz, the average peak velocity was 40 +/- 19 mm/sec. Theoretical model estimates of the work done during such translation ranged from 6 to 709 mJ between the individual joints studied. The potential clinical importance of this measure is that long-term exposure of the TMJ disc to high work may result in fatigue failure of the TMJ disc.     

前牵引颏部反作用力对颞下颌关节应力及位移的影响

目的 建立颅颌面骨的三维有限元模型,分析前方施加反作用力牵引颏部对颞下颌关节应力及位移产生的影响。方法 以健康成年男性作为研究对象,采集螺旋CT原始图像数据,利用Mimics、MSC、Magics、Marc图像处理软件建立三维有限元模型,在颏部施加大小为5 N的作用力,并改变施力方向,测定颞下颌关节及颌骨的应力及位移变化情况。结果 三维有限元模型包括上颌骨、下颌骨、颞下颌关节、颅骨,共包括颅骨三维有限元模型节点28760个和110790个单元,上颌骨20487个节点、76982个单元,下颌骨8273个节点、33080个单元。施加载荷为5 N时,方向与平面呈37°时,上颌骨20487个节点的等效Mises应力值为0.143 N,下颌骨8273个节点的等效Mises应力值为0.111N,髁突头部14305个节点的等效Mises应力值为0.829 N。施加载荷为5 N时,颞下颌关节位移从颏部至髁突部位逐渐递减,位移方向与载荷施加方向一致。颏部位移最大,约为0.015 mm;髁突位移最小,约为0.006 mm。结论 本研究成功建立的颅颌面骨三维有限元模型,与生物实体有高度相似性,可用于前方牵引反作用力的相关研究,并可高度模拟牵引力在颞下颌关节的分布情况。     

Dynamic stereometry of the temporomandibular joint

Studies on jaw kinematics have provided a good understanding of the motion of the mandible in space, but are of little biomechanical relevance because they could not relate the movements to anatomic structures. This is possible by the combination of three-dimensional reconstructions of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) anatomy with jaw motion recordings. This technique allows us to analyze the variation of the relationship between the articular surfaces, providing indirect insight into disk deformation during function and parafunction as well as TMJ loading. As far as the variation of the condyle-fossa distance is concerned, data indicated that during chewing the distance was smaller 1) on closing than on opening; 2) on the balancing than on the working side; and 3) during chewing of hard than soft food. Moreover, during a forceful static biting, the condyle-fossa distance decreased more on the contralateral, i.e. on the balancing side than on the working side. The decrease was related to the degree of clenching force. These results support the content that both condyles are loaded during chewing and the balancing side joint more than the working one. Biomechanically, the development of osteoarthrosis is more likely related to the magnitude and frequency of stresses applied on the cartilage. Joint movements produce tractional forces that may cause shear stresses contributing to cartilage wear and fatigue. Tractional forces are the result of frictional forces caused by the cartilage surface rubbing and of plowing forces caused by the translation of a stress-field through the cartilage matrix, as the intra-articular space changes during motion. Translation of the stress-field in mediolateral direction seems to be particularly important for the integrity of the TMJ disk because of its anisotropic properties. Dynamic stereometry showed that stress-fields translate in mediolateral direction during opening/closing, protrusion and laterotrusion, and that their translatory velocity varies intraindividually and with the rate of the condylar movement. Furthermore, the results seem to indicate that the lateral area of the TMJ disk is more often exposed to shear stresses caused by stress-field translation than the medial one. In conclusion, dynamic stereometry provides a good visualization of the movement of the condyles in the respective fossae. This helps improving our understanding for the complexity of condylar movements. The technique may also contribute to ameliorate our knowledge of TMJ biomechanics and therefore of the etiology of degenerative joint diseases and possibly also of internal derangement.     

Pre- and posttreatment analysis of clinical symptoms of patients with temporomandibular disorders.

OBJECTIVE: This study treated patients with temporomandibular disc displacement with reduction (with pain, limited mandibular movement, and clicking sound symptoms) using a combination of analgesics, injection, mandibular exercise, and occlusal splints. METHOD AND MATERIALS: Twenty-five patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders were evaluated for pretreatment complaints and clinical findings, such as TMJ sounds, mandibular deviation, limited mouth opening, and bilateral magnetic resonance imaging results. Diagnostic treatment was then planned; all patients received occlusal splints, and 10 patients received injections. RESULTS: Evaluations were conducted 1 year after the initial diagnosis and treatment. Complaints (especially of pain) by the patients who received injections had reduced significantly. After 6 months of occlusal splinting, clinical findings of patients with TMJ disc displacement had greatly improved. To manage parafunctional habits of the patients, night plate usage was continued. Therefore, clinical symptom reduction was maintained. CONCLUSION: The use of mandibular manipulation technique can decrease the anterior disc displacement of the TMJ.     

The influence of the closing and opening muscle groups of jaw condyle biomechanics after mandible bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy

ObjectiveTo investigate the influence of the closing and opening muscle groups of the jaw on mandibular stability after mandibular bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy (BSSRO).Materials and methodsTo establish finite element models of four conditions (the normal mandible, preoperative mandibular prognathism, postoperative (BSSRO) mandibular prognathism, and mandibular prognathism following virtual BSSRO), we imported Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) data into three-dimensional reconstruction software. Finite element analysis software and statistical software were used for analysis of the condylar stress distribution as a function of condylar position during the actions of jaw closing and jaw opening muscle groups.ResultsThe stress distribution of the normal mandibular bilateral condyle was statistically different from the normal mandibular condyle, indicating that bilateral structures are asymmetrical. There was a significant difference in stress distributions with condyle position between healthy control patients and patients prior to mandibular prognathism surgery (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in stress distributions between the normal mandible and the mandible following virtual surgery or real mandibular prognathism surgery. Additionally, there was no significant difference at 6 months after mandibular prognathism surgery (P > 0.05).ConclusionsBilateral structures of the normal mandible were asymmetrical. After mandibular bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy, variation of the force arms of closing and opening muscle groups of the jaw was one of the major factors influencing mandibular stability. Virtual surgery is a promising strategy for preoperative planning to improve surgical success and reduce complications.     

下颌骨创伤致慢性颞下颌关节创伤性关节炎相关因素的初步分析

目的 初步探讨下颌骨骨折后颞下颌关节发生慢性创伤性关节炎的相关因素。方法 对下颌骨骨折后37例颞下颌关节慢性创伤性关节炎病例(A组)和83例无关节症状病例(B组)的临床资料进行比较分析。结果 A组较B组女性及成人比例多；颌间结扎时间长，开口练习执行情况差；髁突骨折病例多，经保守治疗的髁突脱位骨折病例多。结论 下颌骨骨折引起的颞下颌关节慢性创伤性关节炎易发于颌间结扎时间长、未能进行完善开口练习的患者，且成年及女性患者多见；髁突骨折是引起该病的主要创伤类型，其中保守治疗的髁突脱位骨折患者更易发生慢性创伤性关节炎；下颌骨其它部位骨折者也可引起慢性创伤性关节炎，应引起临床工作者重视。     

颞下颌关节侧向咬合位与对刃位薄层塑化断面对照研究

目的:对比分析下颌对刃位、侧向咬合位颞下颌关节的运动解剖形态,为颞下颌关节病变提供解剖依据。方法:将8例新鲜尸头摆置成对刃位5例、下颌侧向咬合位3例,以颞下颌关节为中心,切割成8cm×8cm×10cm的标本块,利用生物塑化技术,制成斜矢状位、斜冠状位、轴位塑化断层标本共16套。下颌侧向咬合位工作侧、非工作侧关节形态改变与对刃位相对照。结果:下颌侧向咬合位工作侧,髁突在关节窝内向后、向上、向外移位,关节盘位置无变化,关节盘双板及后带受压;非工作侧,髁突向下、向前、向内侧移位,关节盘后带位置向下移位,无前移位,关节盘中带外侧位居上下关节面之间,明显受压变薄。结论:关节盘并非随髁突作同步同向运动。关节盘在髁突作滑动运动时发生移位;当转动运动、滑动运动复合出现时,关节盘发生移位;而在关节窝内发生的转动运动,关节盘不发生移位。     

Condylar bony change and mandibular deviation in orthodontic patients – using helical CT and MRI

This study was designed to assess the relationship between condylar bony change and mandibular deviation in the orthodontic patient. Seventy‐one patients were examined with helical computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging to assess the condylar bony change and/or disk displacement prior to acceptance for orthodontic treatment. They were grouped into no condylar bony change (NBC) and unilateral condylar bony change (UBC). Frontal and lateral cephalograms and panoramic radiographs were also utilized to evaluate craniofacial morphology, and condylar and ramal heights. The results revealed that TMJ sounds occurred more in the UBC than the NBC group at all ages; but, TMJ pain and difficulty of mouth opening did not show remarkable differences. Erosion, a characteristic feature in age 9–13 years in UBC, occurred with normal disk position or disk displacement without reduction. Flattening exhibited normal disk position in age 9–13 years but was accompanied with disk displacement in age 14–18 years and 19 years and above. Osteophyte formation was highly associated with disk displacement without reduction in all age groups. Moreover, the UBC group's mandible was deviated to the ipsilateral side with significantly shorter condylar height on the affected side. In all age groups of UBC, the difference of condylar height was highly correlated with anterior maxilla, occlusal and gonial planes and with mandibular deviation. All aforementioned results suggest that unilateral condylar bony change can occur with normal disk position or ahead of disk displacement in the young patients. It seems that unilateral condylar bony changes can cause not only mandibular deviation but can also affect the cant of maxillary basal bone, mandibular plane angle and lower dentition.     

Rotational and translational loading of the temporomandibular joint

Following an introduction to the functional properties of a three-dimensional instantaneous helical axis pertaining to circular (rotatory) and linear (translatory) motions of the mandible, this feasibility study applied the concept of a mandibular average finite helical axis to the maneuver of cyclic opening and closing of the mouth in three healthy subjects. Through the accelerations and decelerations of a mandibular incisor point (instead of a mandibular condylar point) as well as the laws of physics, the kinetic reaction forces and reaction pressures in the upper and lower cavities of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) were estimated over opening-closing distances of five and ten mm from centric occlusion. The translatory reaction pressures in the upper TMJ cavity (17-29 mm Hg) exceeded the rotatory reaction pressures in the lower TMJ cavity (5-12 mm Hg). The estimated reaction pressures were in close agreement with synovial fluid pressures measured in vivo in the TMJ of humans and pigs, and the biologic significance of frequent and/or prolonged increased TMJ hydrostatic pressures is discussed.     

JOINT DISORDER: NONREDUCING DISC DISPLACEMENT WITH MOUTH OPENING LIMITATION – REPORT OF A CASE

The internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) represents 8% of all cases of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) posing difficulties to establish an accurate diagnosis and treatment because of its low prevalence. This article presents the case of an 18-year-old Caucasian female patient who came to our Orofacial Pain and TMD Outpatient Service with complaints of intense pain on the right TMJ and limitation of mouth opening (maximum interincisal opening of 29 mm) with deviation to right, which she had been experiencing for the past 3 years. After a detailed clinical interview, a diagnosis hypothesis of nonreducing disc displacement with mouth opening limitation was established. The proposed treatment consisted of intra-joint infiltration with anesthetic in the right TMJ followed by jaw manipulation to recapture the articular disc, which was impeding the complete translation movement of the affected TMJ. After jaw manipulation, a new evaluation was done and showed the re-establishment of jaw dynamics with mouth opening and closing without deviation to the right side, clicking, opening limitation or pain. The patient was followed up at 6 months intervals. Two years after treatment, the patient was reevaluated and her mandibular range of motion without aid increased to 54 mm with no clicking, deviation to right, trismus or pain on the TMJ, indicating success of the treatment approach without recurrence of the pathology.     

Synovial fluid dynamics with small disc perforation in temporomandibular joint

Summary The articular disc plays an important role as a stress absorber in joint movement, resulting in stress reduction and redistribution in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The flow of synovial fluid in the TMJ may follow a regular pattern during movement of the jaw. We hypothesised that the regular pattern is disrupted when the TMJ disc is perforated. By computed tomography arthrography, we studied the upper TMJ compartment in patients with small disc perforation during jaw opening–closing at positions from 0 to 3 cm. Finite element fluid dynamic modelling was accomplished to analyse the pattern of fluid flow and pressure distribution during the movements. The results showed that the fluid flow in the upper compartment generally formed an anticlockwise circulation but with local vortexes with the jaw opening up to 2 cm. However, when the jaw opening–closing reached 3 cm, an abnormal flow field and the fluid pressure change associated with the perforation may increase the risk of perforation expansion or rupture and is unfavourable for self‐repair of the perforated disc.