Angular measurements of the mandible in adults with temporomandibular joint disorders: a CBCT study

Abstract

Objectives: Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a degenerative musculoskeletal disease of unknown etiology, associated with morphological and functional deformities. The present study aimed to evaluate the angular parameters of the mandible in TMD patients with cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and to compare with healthy controls. Methods: A total of 107 patients (54 in the TMD group and 53 in the control group) were included in the study. Ten angular measurements including right and left sides and 4 different length measurements were evaluated on CBCT images of both groups to eliminate individual differences. The differences between the two groups were examined using the significance test or Mann-Whitney U test. Multiple linear regression analysis was used for a detailed examination of the relationship between parameters. Results: The upper face width was significantly higher in the TMD group (p=0.004). After correcting for the upper face width value, there was a significant difference between the groups in terms of the right b angle values (p=0.001). The other differences were not significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: The decrease in the right b angle in the TMD group can be interpreted as a result of the mechanical effect of masticatory muscle hyperactivity on the angular properties of the mandible in these patients