[Morphofunctional changes in the stomatognathic apparatus: the relation between radiologic findings and objective and...

A clinico-anamnestic and radiological study was performed using multidirectional tomography in 50 patients aged between 15 and 69 years old with dysfunction of the stomatognathic system. Anamnestic and objective parameters were statistically correlated with radiological parameters which essentially concerned the condylar position within the glenoid cavity, the protruding condylar excursion and the presence of morphological lesions on articular surfaces. The most significant statistical associations were between articular pain and respectively rear dislocation and limited condylar excursion; between articular noise, above all if grating, and the presence of structural lesions. These lesions were most frequently observed in older subjects. No relationship was found with other data, such as the presence of cephalea, parafunctions, or a loss of the vertical dimension. The interdependence between clinical and radiological findings is stressed.