title: Characteristics of temporomandibular joint in patients with temporomandibular joint complaint.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study was to investigate whether there was statistical difference between the bilateral temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in patients with unilateral TMJ pain or joint sounds, using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).
  
  
  METHODS
  TMJ CBCT images of 123 cases were used to preliminarily determine the indicators suitable for the measuring method. TMJ CBCT image reconstruction was performed and 19 indicators were measured. Thirty-six cases without TMJ complaint served as controls. The comparison of bilateral TMJs was analyzed by paired t-test to find out the indicators without statistical significance. Twenty-nine patients with unilateral TMJ pain or joint sounds who underwent CBCT at the hospital were enrolled for the comparative study. The measured values were analyzed by paired t-test to determine the indicators with statistical difference.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the control group, only radius value of bilateral TMJ was different statistically (P < 0.05). In the TMJ complaint group, the vertical 60° joint space of the bilateral TMJ was statistically different (P < 0.05) and the rest of the measured values showed no statistical difference.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the patients with unilateral TMJ pain or joint sounds, the vertical 60° joint space of the symptomatic side was significantly increased comparing with the asymptomatic side.
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chinese PLA General Hospital No. 51 Fucheng Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100048, China.
authors.forename: Yanfeng
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatology, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University No. 804 Shengli South Street, Yinchuan 750004, China.
authors.forename: Xiaoqian
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Department of Brain, Liaoning Armed Police Force Hospital No. 3 Heishan Road, Huanggu District, Shenyang 110034, China.
authors.forename: Xiaoxue
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chinese PLA General Hospital No. 51 Fucheng Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100048, China.
authors.forename: Ning
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chinese PLA General Hospital No. 51 Fucheng Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100048, China.
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chinese PLA General Hospital No. 51 Fucheng Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100048, China.
authors.forename: Jianqiang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chinese PLA General Hospital No. 51 Fucheng Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100048, China.
authors.forename: Yuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lv
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chinese PLA General Hospital No. 51 Fucheng Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100048, China.
authors.forename: Weili
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chinese PLA General Hospital No. 51 Fucheng Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100048, China.
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chinese PLA General Hospital No. 51 Fucheng Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100048, China.
authors.forename: Hongchen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liu
keywords: TMJ sounds; Temporomandibular joint; cone beam computed tomography; unilateral TMJ pain