Relation between shape of the articular eminence and disc displacement in the temporomandibular joint

Lee, Heung Ki; Hwang, Eui Hwan; Lee, Sang Rae

Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate the hypothesis that the morphology of the articular eminence of the temporomandibular joint is a predisposing factor for disc displacement.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
MR images of 126 temporomandibular joints in 94 patients were analyzed to assess for morphology of the articular eminence and disc displacement. The displaced disc was further categorized as disc displacement with reduction (DDWR) and disc displacement without reduction (DDWOR). The morphology of the articular eminence was classified into four types; box, sigmoid, flattened, and deformed. The relationship between the four types of shape of the articular eminence and the two types of disc position was assessed.
RESULTS
In the DDWR and DDWOR groups, the morphology of articular eminence were a box type in 40.5%, a sigmoid type in 30.2%, a flattened type in 24.6%, and a deformed type in 4.7%. The box type of the articular eminence were 34.3% in the DDWR group and 42.9% in the DDWOR group. The sigmoid type of the articular eminence were 34.3% in the DDWR group and 28.6% in the DDWOR group. The flattened type of the articular eminence were 28.6% in the DDWR group and 23.1% in the DDWOR group. The deformed type of articular eminence were 2.9% in the DDWR group and 5.5% in the DDWOR group.
CONCLUSION
Disc displacement is more likely to be found in the temporomandibular joints with a box-shaped articular eminence. It can be considered that shape of the articular eminence is related to the development of disc displacement.