Dynamic MRI of the TMJ under physical load

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Radiology
• Biomechanics

Background:

• The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is crucial for mastication.
• Understanding TMJ kinematics under physiological load is essential for diagnosing joint disorders.
• Current imaging techniques may not fully capture dynamic TMJ movements during function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the dynamic kinematics of TMJ structures during mastication under physiological load.
• To evaluate a novel radial MRI technique for capturing TMJ anatomy and disc displacement.
• To assess changes in intra-articular distance during biting with and without disc deformation.

Main Methods:

• A golden ratio-based radial MRI technique with sliding window reconstruction was employed.
• Dynamic imaging captured TMJ anatomy and disc motion in 22 subjects.
• Measurements were taken during biting on a caramel toffee, with and without disc deformation/displacement.

Main Results:

• The radial MRI technique provided detailed information on disc size and localization.
• Dynamic images revealed changes in intra-articular distance under loading conditions.
• The method effectively visualized TMJ anatomy with and without disc displacement.

Conclusions:

• The study demonstrated the feasibility of a golden ratio-based radial MRI technique for dynamic TMJ imaging.
• This novel approach can capture TMJ anatomy under physical load.
• The technique shows promise for clinical applications in TMJ disorder assessment.