Temporomandibular joint space analysis

Radiographic interpretation of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) frequently revolves around a determination of condyle concentricity. The purpose of this study was to establish the relationship between actual and radiographic joint space, the latter determined from lateral corrected tomograms made by a Soredex Scanora. Vacuum-formed shims were placed over the condylar heads of a human skull and tomographic images of the TMJs were made. These shims were measured using a caliper and the mean thickness was used to represent actual joint space. Thickness of the shims fabricated for the right condyle varied from .15 mm (1 shim) to 1.60 mm (5 shims). The resulting radiographs were measured to determine the extent to which actual and radiographic joint space compared.