Original Research Article http://doi.org/10.18231/j.ijmi.2019.017 IP International Journal of Maxillofacial Imaging, July-September, 2019;5(3):58-62 58 Assesment of morphological changes of articular eminence and condyle using CBCT Sravya Vemareddy 1* , A. Kannan 2 , P. Raghuram 3 , N. Kannan 4 1 Senior Lecturer, 2 Professor, 3,4 Professor and Head, Dept. of Oral Medicine & Radiology, 1,4 Narayana Dental College and Hospital, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, 2,3 S.R.M Dental College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India *Corresponding Author: Sravya Vemareddy Email: sravyavemareddy@gmail.com Abstract Objectives: To measure the inclination 1. Height of articular eminence using CBCT; 2. To measure the length and width of condyles using CBCT. 3. To evaluate and compare above changes in pain and non painful joints. Aim: The aim of the present study is to assess the morphological changes of articular eminence and condyle in temporomandibular joint disorder patients. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 50 patients (i.e.100 joints), in which 23 are males and the rest 27 are females. These 50 patients are divided into two groups, in which, patients with painful joints are considered as study group and non painful joints were kept as control group. Statistical Analysis and Results: Independent sample t-test was used to determine the differences in height and inclination of articular eminence and condylar length and width. Pearson correlation coefficient used to find the relation between two quantitative variables of articular eminence height and inclination with condylar width and length. There exists no difference in pain and non painful joints in TMJ patients (p>0.05). Conclusion: In the present study there were no significant changes in morphology of articular eminence and condyle in pain and non painful joints. Keywords: Articular eminence, Condyle, CBCT, TMDs, TMJ, Imaging. Introduction The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a ginglymoarthroidal joint which permits movements over the surfaces and achieves the mandibular functions with a dynamic balance mechanism. The superior surface of the joint is formed by glenoid fossa and inferior surface by the head of the condyle. Tempromandibular joint disorders (TMDs) are a collective entity describing number of clinical problems that involve Muscles of mastication, temporomandibular joint and associated structures or both. There are several classifications used in view of the fact since decades, of which widely used classification is Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC). This criteria clinically evaluates TMD conditions, pain related scale with disability and psychological status in association with TMD. 1 The articular eminence is a part of the temporal bone on which the condylar process slides during mandibular movements. The inclination of eminence varies among people and it dictates the path of condylar movement as well as the degree of rotation of the disc over the condyle. 2 The steepness of articular eminence is an etiological factor in the development of disk displacement. The normal value of inclination of articular eminence lies between 30 to 60 degrees. 3 It has been claimed that the biomechanical characteristics of the joints change due to differences in the shape of the eminence and steep eminence plays a key role in the development of disc displacement. 4 Mandibular condyle being part of temporomandibular joint undergoes various morphological changes and remodelling to accommodate developmental variations, malocclusion, trauma and other developmental abnormalities and in TMD. 5,6 Imaging of morphological changes of articular eminence and condylar changes is crucial in understanding, diagnosis and management of temporomandibular joint disorders. Historically several imaging modalities are used for TMJ which include conventional panoramic radiograph, TMJ projections. These modalities have limited use as they cause superimpositions of images. 7 Advanced imaging modalities like CT and MRI gives a very good insite into the changes associated with hard and soft tissues of temporomandibular joint respectively. These modalities have a drawback of high radiation exposure and are expensive with limited use in dentistry. CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) as a new imaging modality with low dose, low cost and good patient acceptance, spatial resolution of osseous structures has gained importance in oral and maxillo-facial radiology. 8 There are limited studies in the literature that used CBCT for the assessment of articular eminence inclination, height and condylar length and width which are frequently associated with temporomandibular joint disorder. The present study was undertaken to assess the morphological changes of articular eminence inclination, height, condylar length and width of TMJ, in patients with and without tenderness using CBCT, so that the application of CBCT can be extended in the diagnosis and management of temporomandibular joint disorders. Materials and Methods Patients Following the approval of the Ethical and scientific committees of SRM university, this study was conducted in the department of Oral Medicine and Radiology at SRM Dental College, Ramapuram, Chennai, during the period February 2013-July 2015. Patients aged between 18 and 45 years with clinical signs and symptoms of