title: Is orthopantomography reliable for TMJ diagnosis? An experimental study on a dry skull.
abstract: The accuracy of orthopantomography in reproducing the temporomandibular joint area was analyzed on a dry skull. The results based on this study of a single skull revealed that the radiographic image of the temporomandibular joint did not correspond to the anatomic condylar and fossa components or to their actual relationship. To a large extent, changes in skull position affected the radiographic temporomandibular joint image, simulating anterior condylar flattening, osteophytes, narrowing of joint space, and left/right condylar asymmetry. Orthopantomography may have questionable reliability for temporomandibular joint diagnostic purposes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ruf
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pancherz
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*