Abstract:
Objective This study evaluated the dimensional and positional osseous temporomandibular joint features in normodivergent
facial patterns with and without temporomandibular disorders.
Methods A total of 165 adult patients were divided into two groups: group 1 (n=79 patients; 158 joints): temporomandibular
disorders patients and group 2 (n=86 patients; 172 joints): non-temporomandibular disorders patients. Three-dimensional
positional and dimensional temporomandibular joint characteristics, including glenoid fossa, mandibular condyles, and joint
spaces, were assessed by cone beam computed tomography.
Results The glenoid fossa positions in the three orthogonal planes and height showed statistical signifcance between the
two studied groups. The temporomandibular disorders patients showed higher horizontal and vertical condyle inclinations
while anteroposterior inclination was less, and the condyle was positioned more superior, anterior, and lateral in the glenoid
fossa. The condyle width and length showed no signifcance between the two groups, while condyle height was smaller in
temporomandibular disorders patients. Anterior and medial joint spaces increased while the superior and posterior joint
spaces reduced in temporomandibular disorders patients.
Conclusion There were signifcant diferences between the patients with and without temporomandibular joint disorders
in terms of mandibular fossa positions and height as well as condylar positions and inclinations in horizontal and vertical
planes together with reduced condylar height and reduced posterior and superior joint spaces in the temporomandibular
disorders patients.
Clinical relevance The temporomandibular disorder is a multifactorial disorder in which one of these factors is the dimen-
sional and positional characteristics of the temporomandibular joints; including or excluding this factor requires a compre-
hensive three-dimensional investigation of patients with TMD compared to the normal group under the condition that the
facial pattern is average as a confounding factor.
