EC Dental Science

The glenoid fossa, articular eminence, and mandibular condyle of the temporal bone form the complex synovial articulation known as the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The superior and inferior compartments of the joint are separated by an intraarticular disc. The disease known as temporomandibular joint dysfunction encompasses the TMJ, the masticatory muscle, and related tissues. Displacement of the disc, TMJ joint noise. Degenerative joint diseases and congenital malformations may have an impact on the condition. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease marked by degradation of the articular tissue and concurrent remodeling of the subchondral bone underneath. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), which permits three-dimensional imaging of bony components of the skull, including the mandible and the TMJ, is a newly developed imaging tool in the process of diagnosing TMD. Aside from CBCT, other imaging techniques that can be used to diagnose osteoarthritis of the temporomandibular joint include MRI, ultrasonography, and bone scintigraphy. The posterior disk attachment of the TMJ and other soft tissue alterations are further explained by MR imaging. The objectives of ultrasonography include early diagnosis, differential diagnosis, patient evaluation, and monitoring of temporomandibular joint illness.

Due of its great sensitivity, bone scintigraphy has been utilized to diagnose temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA) in its early stages.

 Keywords: Temporomandibular Joint Osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA); Cone Beam Computed Tomography; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Ultrasonography; Bone Scintigraphy

1. Derwich Marcin., et al. "Interdisciplinary approach to the temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis—review of the literature”. Medicina 5 (2020): 225.
2. Wang XDd., et al. "Current understanding of pathogenesis and treatment of TMJ osteoarthritis”. Journal of Dental Research5 (2015): 666-673.
3. Katzberg Richard Wier. "Temporomandibular joint imaging”. Radiology2 (1989): 297-307.
4. Alomar X., et al. "Anatomy of the temporomandibular joint”. Seminars in Ultrasound, CT and MRI 3 (2007): 170-183.
5. Werner Jochen A., et al. "Functional anatomy of the temporomandibular joint: A morphologic study on human autopsy material”. Anatomy and Embryology1 (1991): 89-95.
6. Koç Nagihan. "Evaluation of osteoarthritic changes in the temporomandibular joint and their correlations with age: A retrospective CBCT study”. Dental and Medical Problems1 (2020): 67-72.
7. Krisjane Z., et al. "The prevalence of TMJ osteoarthritis in asymptomatic patients with dentofacial deformities: a cone-beam CT study”. International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery6 (2012): 690-695.
8. Kiliç S., et al. "Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis: cone beam computed tomography findings, clinical features, and correlations”. International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery10 (2015): 1268-1274.
9. Ottersen Margareth Kristensen., et al. "CBCT characteristics and interpretation challenges of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis in a hand osteoarthritis cohort”. Dentomaxillofacial Radiology4 (2019): 20180245.
10. Talaat Wael., et al. "CBCT analysis of bony changes associated with temporomandibular disorders”. CRANIO^®2 (2016): 88-94.
11. Bertram Stefan., et al. "Diagnosing TMJ internal derangement and osteoarthritis with magnetic resonance imaging”. The Journal of the American Dental Association6 (2001): 753-761.
12. Campos MIG., et al. "Analysis of magnetic resonance imaging characteristics and pain in temporomandibular joints with and without degenerative changes of the condyle”. International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery6 (2008): 529-534.
13. Tomas Xavier., et al. "MR imaging of temporomandibular joint dysfunction: a pictorial review”. Radiographics3 (2006): 765-781.
14. Badel T., et al. "Diagnostics and management of temporomandibular joint disorder-a reported case with a review of literature”. Journal of Dental Problems and Solutions 1 (2016): 018-023.
15. Maranini Beatrice., et al. "The role of ultrasound in temporomandibular joint disorders: an update and future perspectives”. Frontiers in Medicine 9 (2022): 926573.
16. Manfredini D and L Guarda-Nardini. "Ultrasonography of the temporomandibular joint: a literature review”. International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery12 (2009): 1229-1236.
17. Kang J-H., et al. "Influences of age and sex on the validity of bone scintigraphy for the diagnosis of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis”. International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery11 (2018): 1445-1452.
18. Kim JH., et al. "Effectiveness of bone scans in the diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the temporomandibular joint”. Dentomaxillofacial Radiology3 (2012): 224-229.
19. Suh Min Seok., et al. "Maximum standardized uptake value of 99mTc hydroxymethylene diphosphonate SPECT/CT for the evaluation of temporomandibular joint disorder”. Radiology 3 (2016): 890-896.