Tomographic study of temporomandibular joints before orthodontic treatment

Kwon, Ki Jeong

Abstract

PURPOSE: To determine whether there is a relationship between abnormal temporomandibular joint radiographic findings and age or gender in a sample of preorthodontic patients.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Individualized corrected sagittal tomographs of 188 temporomandibular joints in 94 preorthodontic patients, aged 11 to 29 years, were taken and viewed by an observer blinded to clinical records. The study population was divided into 2 aged groups (11-15 years and 16-29 years) for comparative purposes. Temporomandibular joint radiographic findings were classified as normal or abnormal.
RESULTS
There was no difference in ratio of abnormal to normal findings between the both aged groups. The frequency of osseous abnormalities was similar with that of abnormalities of condylar position. Abnormalities in CP and JS were most frequent in all aged groups.
CONCLUSION
There is no significant difference between ages or genders for temporomandibular joint radiographic abnormalities.