Analysis of the mandibular movement by simultaneous multisection continuous ultrafast MRI

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Imaging
• Orthodontics
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders affect masticatory function.
• Understanding complex TMJ movements is crucial for diagnosis and treatment.
• Previous imaging techniques had limitations in capturing dynamic, multi-joint motion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate complex TMJ movement using simultaneous multiple cross-sectional imaging.
• To analyze mandible and TMJ motion during mouth opening and closing.
• To assess the utility of this novel imaging approach for understanding TMJ dynamics.

Main Methods:

• Simultaneous imaging of four cross-sections: mandibular midline, right and left TMJs, and a horizontal section of TMJ heads.
• Utilized magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 10 healthy volunteers.
• Observed mandibular and TMJ movements during mouth opening and closing.

Main Results:

• Successfully visualized the relationship between mandibular midline movement and bilateral TMJ motion.
• Identified independent, uncoordinated movement of the right and left TMJs in volunteers with trismus.
• Demonstrated the feasibility of simultaneous multi-sectional imaging for dynamic TMJ analysis.

Conclusions:

• Simultaneous multiple cross-sectional MRI is a novel method for evaluating complex TMJ movement.
• This technique provides insights into TMJ kinematics and can identify abnormal movement patterns.
• The findings highlight potential applications in diagnosing and understanding TMJ disorders like trismus.