Evaluation of condylar position from temporomandibular joint radiographs

Abstract

This investigation evaluated the accuracy of three different transcranial TMJ radiographic records of condylar position and joint space dimension. In addition, the study evaluated how reliably observers determined condylar position and joint space dimensions from the radiographs. The results of this investigation support the following conclusions. The classification of condylar position is not the same at different sagittal locations within a TMJ. Skull position and radiographic projection must be identical if joint space measurements from serial radiographs are to be compared. The actual joint space dimensions and the anatomic anterior/posterior position of the condyles in the glenoid fossae cannot be accurately recorded by the radiographic techniques used in this investigation. Condyle/fossa relationships cannot be classified reliably by subjective evaluation of TMJ radiographs.