Cone beam computed tomography evaluation of condyle position and joint space in a group of intra-articular disorders patients undergoing stabilization splint treatment

Abstract

This cross-sectional study assesses condyle position and joint space using Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) in patients with intra-articular disorders undergoing stabilization splint treatment. Patients are categorized into three groups based on MRI findings: no disc displacement (no DD), disc displacement with reduction (DDwR), and disc displacement without reduction (DDwoR). The study involves 35 patients, each with at least one DDwR joint. CBCT evaluates joint space and condyle position, revealing wider anterior, posterior, and superior joint spaces in both DDwR (anterior: 2.48 ± 0.98mm; posterior: 1.83 ± 0.71mm; superior: 2.46 ± 0.81mm) and DDwoR groups (anterior: 2.41 ± 1.13mm; posterior: 2.65 ± 1.14mm; superior: 2.74 ± 0.88mm) compared to the no DD group. Posterior condyle position accounts for the highest prevalence, at 60.4%, in DDwR joints. While no significant difference is noted in condyle position and anterior and superior joint space among three groups, a significant difference is observed in posterior joint space between groups (p < 0.05). The study suggests that joint space may be greater in joints with disc displacement, and posterior condyle position likely predominates in joints with and without disc displacement. However, further research is needed due to the small sample size.