A study of temporomandibular joint sounds. Part 2. Acoustic characteristics of joint sounds.

In an attempt to gain a better understanding of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) sounds, we recorded joint sounds from 14 non-orthodontically treated dental students, analyzed the acoustic characteristics of the TMJ sounds, and correlated the sound characteristics with axiographic features, morphologic observations of X-ray images and clinical history. The group with a low peak frequency (< 500 Hz) of the opening click had a shorter history of subjective joint sound, a longer distance between the opening and closing curves, and a low rate of TMJ transformation. For the closing click, the history of subjective joint sounds tended to be longer when the duration of the wave was short. Acoustic analysis of TMJ sounds could be an aid to the differential diagnosis of temporomandibular disorders, although it is difficult to deduce the clinical history and internal deformities of the TMJ based solely on acoustic characteristics.