J Korean Acad Prosthodont.  2001 Aug;39(4):410-416.

CHANGE OF JOINT SPACE ACCORDING TO ANTERIOR DISC DISPLACEMENT OF TMJ

• Bae JS
• Kim JB
• Kim HS

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Disc displacement may affect the joint space narrowing between condylar head and glenoid fossa. This study was designed to evaluate the correlation between the joint space change and the severity of anterior disc displacement.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Two hundreds temporomandibular joints MR images of TMD patients(170 joints) and asymptomatic volunteers(30 joints) were evaluated for this purpose. Anterior disc displacement was divided into 3 stages (normal, little to mild, and moderate to severe displacement) based on sagittal images, then joint spaces were measured at medial, central and lateral parts of condyle head on coronal MR images, respectively. The joint spaces of 3 groups divided according to the severity of anterior disc displacement were compared.
RESULTS
The reduction of joint space was related to the severity of the anterior disc displacement at lateral, medial side and especially at center.
CONCLUSION
The temporomandibular joint space was affected by the severity of the anterior disc displacement.

MeSH Terms

Head
Joints*
Temporomandibular Joint*