Is Mandibular Fossa Morphology and Articular Eminence Inclination Associated with Temporomandibular Dysfunction?
BACKGROUND
Finding a significant relationship between temporomandibular joint (TMJ) morphology and the incidence of temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) may help early prediction and prevention of these problems.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the present study was to determine the morphology of mandibular fossa and the articular eminence inclination in patients with TMD and in control group using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).


METHODS
The CBCT data of bilateral TMJs of 40 patients with TMD and 23 symptom-free cases were evaluated. The articular eminence inclination, as well as the glenoid fossa depth and width of the mandibular fossa were measured. The paired t-test was used to compare these values between two groups.


RESULTS
The articular eminence inclination and glenoid fossa width and depth were significantly higher in patients with TMD than in the control group (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The articular eminence inclination was steeper in patients with TMD than in the control group. Glenoid fossa width and depth were higher in patients with TMD than that in the control group. This information may shed light on the relationship between TMJ morphology and the incidence of TMD.
Prevention of Oral and Dental Disease Research Center, Dept. of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, School of Dentistry, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Maryam
M
Paknahad
Dept. of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology and Biomaterials Research Center, School of Dentistry, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Shoaleh
S
Shahidi
Undergraduate Student, Dept. of Oral Radiology, School of Dentistry, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Marzieh
M
Akhlaghian
Undergraduate Student, Dept. of Oral Radiology, School of Dentistry, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Masoud
M
Abolvardi
Cone Beam Computed; Eminence; Temporomandibular Joint; Temporomandibular Joint Disorder; Tomography