[The value of Schüller's temporomandibular joint radiography for the diagnosis of joint related malocclusion].

A tentative diagnosis of the supposed position of the condyle in its glenoid fossa was made for 150 temporomandibular joints only be means of Schuller radiographs. To determine the value of the radiographs for diagnosis of occlusion the radiologic diagnosis of each joint was then compared with the real diagnosis based upon instrumental functional analysis of the occlusion, clinical findings and individually projected radiographs of the joint. Radiologic diagnosis and real diagnosis coincided to a relatively high degree provided that the radiographs were readable. Very high correspondence was found for anterior and posterior displacement of the condyle whereas supperior, inferior and lateral displacement showed considerably less coincidence. By the Schuller technique 30 of the 150 joints were not represented readably and better projection by a different angulation of the central X-ray beam was possible for half of those only. Posterior displacement of the condyle was found to be the most frequent malposition of the joint in this study.