Density of the caput mandibulae in computed tomography compared with clinical findings related to TMJ dysfunction

Computed tomography (CT) is an excellent method for evaluating the temporomandibular joint, since it shows the bone structures and soft tissues at the same time and constitutes the most practical method for measuring tissue densities in vivo. The aim of this work was to compare densities of the caput mandibulae obtained by CT with the clinical findings in patients with TMJ dysfunction (25) and controls (29). The densities in the patient group were higher than in the controls and seemed to correlate with the clinical symptoms and signs of TMJ dysfunction, especially with muscle pain and deviation in the mouth opening movement.