Radiography of the temporomandibular joint in female patients with TMJ pain or dysfunction. A seven year follow-up.
One hundred and twenty-four patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain/dysfunction were examined radiographically and 54 of these patients were reexamined at a follow-up approximately after 7 years. The radiographic examination included submentovertical, oblique lateral transcranial and transmaxillary projections. Abnormalities of structure and shape of the bony components were found in 50% of the joints; cortical/subcortical erosion was recorded in 15%, sclerosis in 33% and deviation in shape in 48%. Abnormal condylar position was observed in 46% of the joints. The 20 patients examined only at the follow-up demonstrated a frequency of these findings similar to those observed in patients selected for examination during the treatment period. At the 7-year follow-up, a slight increase in number of all types of abnormalities was found as well as a slight progression of abnormalities present at the first examination.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008722:Methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D011859:Radiography; D012598:Sclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D013997:Time Factors