ABSTRACT
Radiographs are valuable in the investigation of temporomandibular joint [TMJ] pathogenesis. Despite extensive and detailed description of the various pathologic states that may involve the joint, scant attention has been paid to the appearance of the normal joint. This is an important omission since it is clear from both skeletal and histological studies that a continuous process of remodeling occurs in all joints throughout adult life. The purpose of this study was to determine the rate of bony condylar changes of the TM joint in asymptomatic adults aged between 20-50 years referring to the radiology department. A total of 160 condyles of 80 asymptomatic patients were studied. Patients who had lost more than two teeth in either jaw were excluded. The effect of age on the variation was also analyzed. Standard panoramic jaw radiography [plan meca EC 2000 PM] was obtained for all patients. Each joint was evaluated in random order. The age of the patients was between 20-50 years and they were divided into three groups accordingly. In our study, about 75% of the patients showed osseous changes in at least one condyle. Flattening was the most common change [about 65.3%] followed by osteophytes [33.3%], sclerosis [32.1%] and concavity [28.4%]. Sub cortical cysts and erosion were relatively rare findings. Radiographic appearances of asymptomatic temporomandibular joints vary widely and remodeling changes are commonly seen. Age can be associated with osseous changes, but these relationship are not direct or mutually exclusive