Evaluation of disc position in edentulous patients with MRI

Objective: To detect the condyle-disc relationship with bilateral temporomandibular joint(TMJ) in edentulous patients.

Methods: The study was based on the clinical examination and bilateral MRIs of 11 edentulous patients, the clinical and MRI findings of bilateral TMJ were recorded and the disc position was observed in edentulous patients and the relationship was compared between clinical and MRI findings in those TMJs.

Results: It was noted that disc displacement was in 45% of the TMJs in edentulous patients. Four TMJ disc displacement in man was found, accounting for 28.6%,whereas disc displacement was found in 6 TMJs of women, accounting for 75%.

Conclusions: There is no relationship between disc displacement and clinical manifestations. Disc displacement is more frequent in women than in men. There is potential relationship between missing teeth and internal derangement of TMJ in edentulous patients.