Cone-beam computed tomography findings of temporomandibular joints with osseous abnormalities

Objective

To evaluate the cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) findings of temporomandibular joints (TMJs) with osseous abnormalities.

Methods

CBCT images of 88 TMJs in 44 patients with arthrogenic TMJ disorder and 40 normal TMJs of 20 asymptomatic patients were selected for the study. All images were used for evaluation of the condyles (position and width), glenoid fossae (width and depth), and joint spaces (anterior, posterior, and maximum superior). The frequencies of the condylar positions were compared between the two groups using the Chi-square test. The mean values of the remaining CBCT findings were compared between the two groups using the Mann?CWhitney U test.

Results

In the 88 TMJs with osseous abnormalities, a dorsal position of the condyle was most frequently seen (62/88), whereas central and ventral positions of the condyle were seen in two and 24 joints, respectively. The TMJs with osseous abnormalities exhibited a significantly lower mean value for the condyle width and a significantly higher mean value for the anterior joint space than the TMJs without such abnormalities.

Conclusions

Small and dorsally positioned condyles are characteristic CBCT findings of TMJs with osseous abnormalities.