Tomographic evaluation of TMJ in adolescents with temporomandibular disorders

This study evaluated the TMJ images of normal subjects and of those who presented TMD (temporomandibular disorders) using linear tomography at rest position. Craniomandibular Index (CMI) and a questionnaire on subjective symptoms were used to assess 217 subjects aged 12 to 18 years. Those with the highest and the lowest scores were divided into Control (n = 20) and TMD groups (n = 20), respectively. Corrected tomography was used to measure the narrowest anterior, superior and posterior joint spaces, to determine the condyle position in all 40 subjects. The distance means did not correlate with CMI scores (p > 0.05). The number of posteriorly positioned condyles was significantly higher in TMD patients (p = 0.05), especially in females. It was concluded that condyle position in linear tomography at rest position cannot yield TMD diagnosis.