Relationship between Mandibular Condyle Position and Pain in Patients with Disc Displacement with Reduction: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to compare the condyle position of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in patients with disc displacement with reduction (DDWR) between with and without arthralgia using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methods: A total of 39 adult patients were examined retrospectively and were divided into three groups: 14 patients (21 joints) with TMJ DDWR and arthralgia, 14 patients (14 joints) with TMJ DDWR without arthralgia, and 11 asymptomatic patients (22 joints). Joint space measurements and condyle position were assessed using sagittal and coronal CBCT images. The radiographic data were correlated between the subgroups. One-Way ANOVA test was used for the analysis of normally distributed data, Kruskal Walis H test was used for non-normally distributed data in comparisons between three or more groups. The relationship between categorical data was examined with Chi-Square analysis. A descriptive statistical method (Mean, Median, Standard Deviation, Minimum-Maximum) was used while evaluating the study data. The confidence interval was set at 0.05 Results: There was no significant difference in age and gender between subgroups. The mean posterior and lateral joint space distance was found significantly higher in the painful DDWR group than in the painless DDWR group, and the incidence of anterior condylar position was significantly higher in the painful DDWR group than in the control group and painless DDWR group respectively. However, there was no significant difference in mediolateral condyle position variables among subgroups. Conclusion: Anterior condyle position may be correlated with pain in disc displacement disorders.