Overview of computed tomography of the temporomandibular joint.

Computed tomography of the temporomandibular joint has been shown to be an accurate method of assessing the position of the disk. To date, we have examined over 500 patients with this modality and have found it also to be effective in the evaluation of other osseous and soft tissue abnormalities. An overview of temporomandibular joint pathology is presented, including the range of osteoarthritic changes from spur formation to complete fusion. Anterior dislocation, with and without reduction, and closed lock are demonstrated. A heretofore unreported phenomenon--posterior dislocation of the meniscus with open lock--is presented. Also shown is the computed tomography evaluation of splint therapy, which has not been dealt with in other publications.