Investigation of temporomandibular joint space of healthy adults by using cone beam computed tomography

Objective: To investigate the condyle position in the fossa and obtain the reference ranges of Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) space of 50 healthy adults (100 joints) by using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Methods: Fifty healthy adults (100 joints) were selected and undergone CBCT examination in the intercuspal position. Five different methods of joint space measurement were used based on the joint sagittal middle layer of CBCT images and the results were analysed statistically.

Results: The reference ranges of TMJ space of CBCT images by using five measurement methods were obtained. The results of the linear measurement methods demonstrated that there were no significant differences between anterior and posterior spaces (Z0.05),no significant differences between the two side joint spaces including anterior, posterior and superior spaces (t0.05 ),and also no significant differences in ln (P/A) values between two side joints (t0.05).

Conclusions: All the results of the five measurement methods showed that the condyle was located in the center of the fossa with a variation in the healthy adults in intercuspal position.The CBCT image of the sagittal middle layer of the joint could show the joint space accurately and has an important value in the research related to the changes of TMJ space.