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A Morphometric and Cellular Analysis Method for the Murine Mandibular Condyle
Published on: January 11, 2018
Reproducibility of temporomandibular joint clicking
L M Gallo1, A Svoboda, S Palla
1Clinic for Masticatory Disorders and Complete Dentures, Center for Dental and Oral Medicine and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. uigi@zui.unizh.ch
Journal of Orofacial Pain
|February 24, 2001
Summary
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) clicking remained stable over 10 days, with no significant changes in sound intensity or characteristics regardless of jaw movement speed. Objective measurements confirmed subjective perceptions of TMJ clicking stability.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Biomechanics
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Background:
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) clicking is a common symptom, often perceived as stable by patients.
- Understanding the objective stability of TMJ clicking is crucial for diagnosis and treatment planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the short-term (10-day) stability of TMJ clicking.
- To investigate the influence of jaw opening and closing velocities on TMJ clicking sound amplitude and power spectra.
Main Methods:
- Ten volunteers with subjectively stable unilateral TMJ clicking were recorded using a microcomputer-based system.
- Recordings were conducted across 4 sessions at 3 different jaw movement velocities.
- Subjective sound intensity was measured using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS); objective parameters included signal amplitude and power spectra.
Main Results:
- TMJ clicking amplitude and power spectra showed significant inter-subject variability but were consistent within subjects.
- No statistically significant differences were found in VAS scores, maximum amplitudes, or power spectra across different velocities or sessions.
- Measurement reliability was consistently good to excellent (r > 0.75).
Conclusions:
- TMJ clicking demonstrated subjective and objective stability over a 10-day period.
- Objective measurements corroborated the consistent subjective perception of TMJ clicking intensity.
