Observation of the articular disc

This article reports on a 5-year study of 198 articular discs of the human temporomandibular joint. The investigation revealed a striking incidence of disc degeneration, notably bilaterally presented. The classification used to qualify the condition of the discs consisted of maximal and minimal degeneration and normalcy. We sought to establish the "norm" for the disc in each successive decade. The fourth decade revealed no degeneration. Disc alteration follows soon after, as shown by the rather high total curve in the fifth decade. Changes are most marked in the fifth, sixth, and seventh decades. There is inconclusive evidence as to the influence of the dentition on disc alteration. However, the view that a complete and/or partial dentition is least likely to contribute to disc problems seems plausible. In general, no one causal agent could be incriminated with certainty.