Assessment of degenerative changes in the temporomandibular joint: A retrospective cone-beam computed tomography study

Degenerative changes of the temporomandibular joint (DTMJ) may be diagnosed via cone - beam computed tomography (CBCT). However, despite advancement in CBCT imaging, correlation of DTMJ features identified on CBCT with gross and histological findings is currently limited. This study aimed to correlate CBCT findings of DTMJ of dogs with gross and histopathologic changes. Temporomandibular joints (TMJ) (n = 38) from fresh cadaver heads of asymptomatic dogs (n = 19) were examined radiologically, macroscopically, and microscopically. Association of CBCT - detected DTMJ changes with gross and histological findings were statistically evaluated via kappa statistics and ordinal logistic mixed-effects models. The radiological changes observed on CBCT included joint space narrowing, subchondral/cortical bone changes (i.e., erosions or lysis), osteophytes, and subchondral bone sclerosis. Upon macroscopic evaluation, the majority of examined specimens had mild changes with cartilage defects and osteophytes affecting <10% of the total articular surface area. Histopathologic changes comprised splitting and degeneration of the fibrous cartilage layers, subchondral bone exposure, subchondral bone sclerosis, focal subchondral bone lysis, and occasional cell death. Subchondral sclerosis was the most prevalent finding radiologically and histologically with a fair to excellent agreement. Importantly, the more severe the TMJ degenerative changes, the higher the agreement between CBCT and histology. Based on the correlative results of statistical analysis, CBCT was found to be a suitable modality to evaluate DTMJ.

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Degenerative Changes in the Temporomandibular Joint in Elderly Patients with Posterior Edentulous Maxilla and Mandibula According to Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Data.

The Open Dentistry Journal ◽

10.2174/1874210602115010191 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

pp. 191-195

Author(s):

Zurab Khabadze ◽

Oleg Mordanov ◽

Georgiy Davreshyan ◽

Mariya Balashova ◽

Alexander Prokopenko ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Computed Tomography ◽

Elderly Patients ◽

Temporomandibular Joint ◽

Cone Beam Computed Tomography ◽

Bone Structure ◽

Joint Space ◽

Degenerative Changes ◽

Cone Beam ◽

Female Group ◽

The Right

Aim: This study aimed at assessing the degenerative changes in the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)in elderly patients with posterior edentulous maxilla and mandibula according to Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) data. Materials and Methods: The study included 32 patients (64 temporomandibular joints) aged from 50 to 81 years (mean age 62 ± 7.9 years; 16 males and 16 females). TMJs were visualized on reconstructed parasagittal, paracoronal, and axial sections of the joint. The following changes in bone tissue were evaluated: condyle flattening, erosion, sclerosis, subchondral cysts, osteophytes. Joint space was evaluated as well. Results and Discussion: 100% of patients had at least one sign of degenerative changes in TMJ at least on one side. In 19 patients, degenerative symptoms were found only on one side. The most common sign was subchondral cysts. It was noted that the number of degenerative symptoms in male patients was statistically more than in the female group. On the right side, the anterior, superior, and posterior joint spaces had the following values: 2.35 mm, 2.95 mm, and 4.84 mm, respectively. On the left side, the anterior, superior, and posterior joint spaces had the following values: 2.14 mm, 2.3 mm, and 4.1 mm, respectively. Conclusion: Both edentulousness and aging affect the bone structure of TMJ in both genders.

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

Sensors ◽

10.3390/s21093070 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (9) ◽

pp. 3070

Author(s):

Sebastian Iwaszenko ◽

Jakub Munk ◽

Stefan Baron ◽

Adam Smoliński

Keyword(s):

Computed Tomography ◽

Temporomandibular Joint ◽

Cross Section ◽

Cone Beam Computed Tomography ◽

Cone Beam ◽

Section Plane ◽

New Approach ◽

Volume Of Interest ◽

Gap Width

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.

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Temporomandibular Joint Osseous Morphology of Class I and Class II Malocclusions in the Normal Skeletal Pattern: A Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Study

Diagnostics ◽

10.3390/diagnostics11030541 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 541

Author(s):

Xiao-Chuan Fan ◽

Lin-Sha Ma ◽

Li Chen ◽

Diwakar Singh ◽

Xiaohui Rausch-Fan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Computed Tomography ◽

Temporomandibular Joint ◽

Cone Beam Computed Tomography ◽

Class Ii ◽

Class I ◽

Cone Beam ◽

Glenoid Fossa ◽

Linear Measurements ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Skeletal Pattern

(1) Background—The aim of the present study was to evaluate the correlation between the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) osseous morphology of normal skeletal pattern individuals with different dental malocclusions by using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). (2) Methods—The CBCT images of bilateral TMJs in 67 subjects with skeletal class I and average mandibular angle (26 males and 41 females, age range 20–49 years) were evaluated in this study. The subjects were divided into class I, class II division 1, and class II division 2 according to the molar relationship and retroclination of the maxillary incisors. Angular and linear measurements of TMJ were evaluated and the differences between the groups were statistically analyzed. (3) Results—Intragroup comparisons showed statistical differences for articular eminence inclination, the width of the glenoid fossa, the ratio of the width of the glenoid fossa to the depth of the glenoid fossa, the condylar angle, and the intercondylar angle between the malocclusion groups. The measurements of the glenoid fossa shape showed no significant difference between the left and right sides. Females showed more differences in the morphological parameters of TMJ between the three malocclusion groups than the males. (4) Conclusion—The present study revealed differences in the TMJ osseous morphology between dental class I and class II malocclusions in the normal skeletal pattern.

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