Association between temporomandibular joint disc position evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging and mandibular condyle inclination evaluated by computed tomography

Abstract

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is part of the craniofacial complex and is made up of a large number of structures and elements, making its operation complex, so that small alterations can cause a wide variety of functional problems. 1. These problems are known as temporomandibular disorders (TMD), a generic term covering a group of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions that affect the TMJ, the masticatory muscles and all associated tissues. 2,3 AbstractTemporomandibular joint disc displacement is common in the world's population and could be associated with bone and functional characteristics of the temporomandibular joint. The aim of these study was to analyse the association between temporomandibular joint disc position evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the inclination of the mandibular condyle evaluated by computed tomography (CT).One hundred and seventy temporomandibular joints (TMJ) were retrospectively analysed. The temporomandibular disc position was evaluated by MRI and classified into three types: normal (N), disc displacement with reduction (DDWR) and disc displacement without reduction (DDWoR). The mandibular condyle measurements evaluated by CT included horizontal, sagittal and coronal inclination. ANOVA followed by post hoc Tukey's test was used to evaluate the interaction between condylar inclination and disc position. There was an association between disc position and the horizontal and sagittal condylar inclination (P < .05). There are statistically significant differences in the mean of horizontal and sagittal inclination of the mandibular condyle between the DDWoR and the other disc positions (P = .002 and P = .004). Disc position was not statistical associated with coronal inclination of condyle (P > .05). These results indicate that the inclination of the mandibular condyle may be different in TMJ with various disc position. A more medial horizontal inclination and a more posterior sagittal inclination of the mandibular condyle are associated with DDWoR. K E Y W O R D Scomputed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, mandibular condyle, temporomandibular joint, temporomandibular joint disc |The TMD are a major health problem, affecting more than 50% of the world's population at some point in their lives and usually occurs in children, youth and adults of all ages and gender. 4,5 TMD can be classified into two major categories: temporomandibular joint disorders and masticatory muscle disorders. 2,3 Among the disorders of the TMJ are the alterations of the intra-articular mobility and the disorders of the disc-condyle complex. 2,6 Disorders of the disc-condyle complex consist of an abnormal position of the articular disc with respect to the mandibular condyle and the articular eminence. [7][8][9] Abnormal disc position or disc displacement has often been diagnosed in patients of diverse populations and can occur even in the growing population and is considered to be a condition that may worsen over time. 10,11 It has been observed that disc displacement of the TMJ is ab...

Association between bilateral condylar resorption and reduced volumes of the craniofacial skeleton and masticatory muscles in adult patients: A retrospective study

“…Apart from the changes in the craniofacial musculoskeletal volume, we also found that the intercondylar angle was significantly lower in the BCR group than in the control group. Although some researchers found no association between the horizontal condylar inclination and disc displacement [ 20 ], there are many studies reported that the medial horizontal inclination of the mandibular condyle was associated with disk displacement without reduction [ [21] , [22] , [23] , [24] ]. Our study also found significant correlation between the ICA and disk displacement.…”

Changes in condylar position during orthodontic treatment depending on the amount of incisor retraction: a cone-beam computed tomography study

“…Changes in the condylar position, particularly in the posterior direction, may lead to disc displacement which is often seen in TMD patients. [3,14,23,24] The incidence rate of TMD in patients with anteriorly positioned condyle is less than that in those with posteriorly positioned condyles. [3,9,25] However, as skeletal and neuromuscular adaptive changes can be expected during orthodontic treatment, TMD would occur only when the amount of change exceeds the adaptive range.…”

A Bibliometric Analysis of Research on Temporomandibular Joint Disc Displacement from 1992 to 2022

“…TMJ disc displacement was associated with numerous signs and symptoms [41]. It had been observed that TMJ disc displacement was able to produce pain, dysfunction, and bone changes in the joint surfaces [42]. Numerous studies demonstrated a high prevalence of disc displacement in patients with TMJ pain and dysfunction, but some studies had also shown that TMJ disc displacement may present without any pain [43].…”