The state of the bone structures of the temporomandibular joint in dental patients with unilateral terminal defects of the dentition

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate morphological changes in the bone structures of the elements of the temporomandibular joint in patients with unilateral terminal defects of the dentition. The study involved 90 patients aged 18 to 44 years, who underwent: clinical examination of the maxillofacial region, cone-beam computed tomography with digital processing of computed tomograms in the Avantis 3D system, statistical processing of the results obtained. In the course of the study, two main samples were determined: depending on the side of the defect and on the duration of the appearance of the defect of the dentition. During the study of 90 computed tomograms of patients with unilateral terminal defects of the dentition and their further computer processing, the structural features of the bone elements of the temporomandibular joint were studied, the main morphometric changes of the mandibular heads were established, a comparative characteristic of morphometric parameters in the study groups was carried out. The identified structural changes in the heads of the lower jaw in patients with unilateral end defects of the dentition appear as a result of the presence of an untreated defect of the dentition for a long period of time.