Relationships between geometry and kinematic characteristics in the temporomandibular joint.
Motions of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) involve both translation and rotation; however, there may be substantial variations from one human to another, and these variations present significant difficulties when designing TMJ prostheses. The disc-condyle glides along the temporal bone and the condyle centre describe a curve that depends on the individual morphology.   This study analyses disc-condyle rotatory and translatory displacements moving all along the temporal bone facets which are mainly composed of two areas: the articular tubercle slope (ATS) and the preglenoid plane separated by the articular tubercle crest. Displacements were quantified using 3D video analysis, and this technique was computer-assisted.   From a population of 32 volunteers, we were able to establish a correlation between the kinematic characteristics of the joint and the disc-condyle trajectories. This study quantifies the geometrical characteristics of the ATS and their inter-individual variations, which are useful in TMJ prosthesis design.
Laboratoire de Mécanique Physique, Université de Bordeaux, CNRS UMR 5469, 351 Cours de la Libération, 33405 Talence Cedex, France. michel.mesnard@u-bordeaux1.fr
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D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001698:Biomedical Engineering; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007595:Joint Prosthesis; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012399:Rotation; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D019224:Temporomandibular Joint Disc / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000601:surgery