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Condylar position assessed by magnetic resonance imaging after various bite position registrations
Sanjivan Kandasamy1, Rudolf Boeddinghaus, Estie Kruger
1Clinical associate professor, Department of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia; adjunct assistant professor, Center for Advanced Dental Education, Saint Louis University, St Louis, Mo.
Summary
This study found that common bite registrations do not reliably position jaw condyles in the glenoid fossae. Therefore, these methods lack support for diagnosing or preventing temporomandibular disorders.
Area of Science:
- Dental Occlusion
- Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Biomechanics
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Evaluating the accuracy of bite registrations is crucial for dental diagnostics and treatment.
- Understanding condylar position within the glenoid fossae is key to TMJ health.
- Previous assumptions about bite registration accuracy need scientific validation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the reliability and validity of three bite registrations (centric occlusion, centric relation, Roth power centric relation).
- To determine the relationship between these bite registrations and condylar position in the glenoid fossae.
- To investigate the clinical applicability of bite registrations in TMJ disorder management.
Main Methods:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to evaluate condylar position.
- Nineteen subjects without temporomandibular disorders were included.
- Condylar positions were analyzed across three bite registrations in multiple spatial planes.
Main Results:
- Measurements showed large standard deviations and no statistical significance.
- A high percentage of condyles (87% anteroposteriorly, 100% transversely) were found to be concentric.
- No significant positional differences were observed between the tested bite registrations.
Conclusions:
- The study does not support the clinical use of these bite registrations for positioning condyles.
- The findings challenge the diagnostic and preventive utility of specific bite registrations for TMJ disorders.
- Further research may be needed to explore alternative methods for assessing condylar position.
