Age-related changes in condyle evaluated by cone-beam CT reconstruction / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cone-beam CT (CBCT) can show abnormal structures and shape of condyle, including thickened cortical bone and abnormal bone mineral density (BMD), which are closely associated with temporomandibular osteoarthrosis. How to identify the imaging changes of osteoarthrosis is a foundation to make correct diagnosis and treatment. However, there is still a lack of study on physiological changes of condyle in people with different ages and sexes.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the age-related changes of condyle using CBCT in poplulations with different ages and sexes.METHODS: CBCT data of 883 patients without temporomandibular osteoarthrosis were collected, and then divided into 22 groups by age (7-8, 9-10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26-27, 28-29, 30-35,36-40, 41-45), and the BMD of each point at the surface of condyle was measured using examvision software and analyzed statistically.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: As age increases, the BMD of the anterior point and apex was increased and reached a peak, then kept on a stable stage, while showed a decreased tendency after 40 years old. The BMD of the posterior point was increased until a peak and then decreased, and became stable after 30 years old. The BMD of the anterior point and apex both was higher than that of the posterior point in male and female patients. The BMD of each point in females all was higher than that in males. Our results suggest that there are age-related changes in condyle BMD. The BMD on the functional surface is higher than that on the nonfunctional surface. Besides, the condyle development of in males is later than that in females, and all above findings provide reference for the diagnosis of temporomandibular osteoarthrosis.