Cone beam computed tomography study of osteoarthritic alterations in the osseous components of temporomandibular joints in asymptomatic patients according to skeletal pattern, gender, and age.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of osteoarthritic alterations in the osseous components of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in asymptomatic patients with different skeletal patterns, gender, and age groups with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images.

STUDY DESIGN

CBCT images of 213 asymptomatic patients were assessed for the presence of any degenerative changes in the condyle and fossa/eminence complex. Each TMJ was evaluated separately and was classified as normal, indeterminate for osteoarthritis, or affected by osteoarthritis. Differences were tested by using the χ and Fisher's exact tests (P < .05).

RESULTS

In total, 52.3% of the joints presented some visible alteration in the osseous components. Abnormalities were detected in 32.6% of the condyles and 31.5% of the articular fossae/eminences, and flattening was the most prevalent alteration in all classes. There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of alterations in either the condyle or the articular fossa/eminence among the skeletal groups for the entire sample or for the gender and age subsets.

CONCLUSIONS

There are no differences in degenerative TMJ changes in patients with or without skeletal jaw discrepancies. No differences were found when gender and age were considered.