Tomographic study of temporomandibular joints before orthodontic treatment / 대한구강악안면방사선학회지

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.