Morphological description of the temporomandibular joint ligaments in domestic pigs.

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ligaments play crucial roles in its function or dysfunction. The objective of this study was to describe the macro and microscopic morphology of these ligaments in domestic pigs, aiming to: (1) expand knowledge about the species; (2) provide anatomical references for advancing veterinary therapy and utilizing pigs as animal models in craniofacial research. Heads of young Sus scrofa domesticus were dissected to identify TMJ ligaments. Fragments of these ligaments were collected and processed for subsequent histological analysis with Haematoxylin and eosin staining. The results were qualitatively described. Pigs exhibited a TMJ reinforced by three individualized capsular ligaments: a lateral ligament, attaching to the ventral margin of the zygomatic process of the temporal bone and the lateral margin of the mandibular neck; a caudomedial ligament, attaching to the retroarticular process of the squamous part of the temporal bone and the caudomedial margin of the mandibular neck and a caudolateral ligament, attaching to the ventral margin of the base of the zygomatic process of the temporal bone and the caudal margin of the mandibular neck. The lateral ligament exhibited a greater constitution of dense irregular connective tissue, while the caudomedial and caudolateral ligaments showed a greater constitution of dense regular connective tissue. It is concluded that the TMJ of pigs presents one more ligament than horses, cattle, dogs, cats and what has been described for pigs themselves. We believe these results may contribute to the improvement of veterinary clinical and surgical therapy overall, as well as provide essential morphological information for a better interpretation and application of interspecies results in craniofacial research using pigs as an experimental model, as in the case of humans.

TMJ-105, an extract of Carpesium cernuum, induced G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis via the JAK2/STAT3 axis and MAPKs signaling pathway in leukemia HEL cells.

Leukemia is a malignant tumor of the hematologic system. Studies have shown that cernuumolide J (TMJ-105), an extract of Carpesium cernuum, has anti-cancer effects, but the underlying mechanism is unclear. In this study, we investigated the effect of TMJ-105 on the proliferation of human leukemia HEL cells and its molecular mechanism. MTT analysis showed TMJ-105 had revealed that it shows significant IC50 in HEL cells at lower doses (1.79 ± 0.29 µmol/L) than in K562 cells (3.89 ± 0.80 µmol/L), and the suppression of HEL cell proliferation was time- and concentration-dependent. Meanwhile, TMJ-105 induced G2/M phase blockage, leading to DNA damage in HEL cells. TMJ-105 promoted HEL cells to release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and changed mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Furthermore, TMJ-105 induced apoptosis by upregulating the cleaved-caspase9 and cleaved-caspase3 protein expression, while caspase pan inhibitor (Z-VAD-FMK) blocked the inhibition effect. Finally, TMJ-105 downregulated the phosphorylation of JAK2, STAT3 and Erk, and activated the phosphorylation of JNK and p38. Collectively, these results demonstrated that TMJ-105 inhibited proliferation of leukemia cells and the underlying mechanism via the JAK2/STAT3 axis and MAPKs signaling pathway. Based on these results, the present study suggested the sesquiterpene lactone TMJ-105 is a new chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of leukemia.

Treatment of temporomandibular joint internal derangement using MESNA injection.

INTRODUCTION: The development of temporomandibular disorders specifically emphasizes the biochemical changes occurring in the synovial fluid at different stages of temporomandibular joint disease. Research has indicated that inflammation may be a primary reason behind the pain and dysfunction in temporomandibular joint diseases. Since its clearance several years ago, MESNA (sodium 2-mercaptoethanesulfonate) has been used in various formulations as a mucolytic drug in the respiratory domain. It operates by disrupting the disulfide bonds present between polypeptide chains within mucus. MESNA exhibits minimal tissue distribution, with the material being swiftly and thoroughly eliminated via the kidneys. OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy of injecting MESNA directly into the Temporomandibular Joint to treat internal derangement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomized clinical trial was conducted on sixty patients who exhibited non-responsiveness to conventional treatment and were diagnosed with TMJ anterior disc displacement with reduction. The patients were chosen from the outpatient clinic of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department at Tanta University Faculty of Dentistry. Two equal groups of patients were randomly assigned to each other. Group I (Mesna group) received intra-articular injection with MESNA solution. Group II (Standard group) received arthrocentesis with lactated ringer solution followed by injection of Hyaluronic Acid (HA). The data was gathered by functional examinations such as maximum interincisal opening (MIO) and clicking. A Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) assessed pain severity before and after treatments. RESULTS: Both MESNA and HA showed significant improvement up to six months of the follow-up compared to preoperative status, as evidenced by better mouth opening, lateral excursion, lower clicking, and reduced pain score in patients with TMDs. MESNA showed significant improvement during follow-up compared to HA. CONCLUSION: Compared to HA, MESNA showed a more noticeable improvement during the follow-up period.

Temporomandibular Joint Disorders and Pain Confounders: An Awareness Study.

OBJECTIVES: Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are the most common nonodontogenic cause of orofacial pain, leading to morbidity and impairment. TMD presents a diagnostic challenge due to many aetiologies that exhibit comparable symptoms and refer pain to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) region. Patients may be referred to dental specialists without accounting for all pain sources. This study aims to identify radiographic confounders (RCs) that can be mistaken for TMD in patients undergoing TMJ assessment using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A review of 369 CBCT oral maxillofacial radiology reports of the TMJ acquired between July 2020 and June 2023 was completed. Pertinent RCs were classified as endodontic lesions, impacted dentition, sinus pathologies, root fractures, soft tissue calcifications, and others. The chi-squared test assessed the significance of the relationship between RCs and patient variables. RESULTS: A total of 283 RCs were identified in 202 of the 369 cases (54.7%). The most frequent findings included sinus abnormalities (32.5%), endodontic lesions (15.2%), impacted dentition (12.7%), and elongated/calcified stylohyoid process (9.2%). Significant associations were found between sinus pathologies with TMD signs (P = .009) and gender (P = .001). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that RCs that mimic TMD-related symptoms are prevalent in patients referred for TMJ CBCT imaging. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Clinicians should be aware of these RCs when diagnosing complaints related to the TMJ. We recommend clinicians first obtain dental clearance and investigate all other potential sources of a patient's complaint before initiating referrals to avoid unnecessary costs and delays in patient care.

Inviscision: A Futuristic Alternative to Endaural Incision for TMJ Surgeries.

Background: As TMJ surgery incisions have evolved, there has been a decrease in facial deformity and adequate surgical access. Even though the traditional preauricular and endaural incisions offer great exposure, they heal with a noticeable scar; in contrast, the Inviscision becomes invisible. Aim: To compare and evaluate both the approaches for TMJ surgeries in terms of surgical exposure, VII nerve injury and postoperative aesthetics. Methods: 60 TMJ surgery cases were randomly divided into two groups: Group A-30 Inviscision and Group B-30 Endaural incision and assessed for the amount of time from the incision to the exposure, ample access for surgery and postoperative nerve injury, scarring, cartilage injury/necrosis and ear deformity. All the patients were followed up for an average of six months. Results: Surgical exposure time was average 12 and 10 min via Inviscision and endaural incision, respectively. In Inviscision, scar becomes invisible after 40 days and in endaural incision, scar becomes a thin but visible line after 35 days. No cases of hypertrophic scar, keloid formation, cartilage injury/necrosis/ear deformity in either group. Transient temporal branch of VII nerve weakness seen in 33% of Inviscision and 40% of endaural cases which improved after average 3 and 3.4 months, respectively. Likert's patient satisfaction score was average 4 and 2, and POSAS score for scarring was 1.5 and 3, in Inviscision and endaural incision, respectively. Conclusion: Inviscision gives adequate exposure, avoids all related anatomic structures, other than causing transient retraction neuropraxia, along with outstanding aesthetic outcomes by hiding the scar in the anatomical folds of the ear auricle. Although, endaural incision provides better surgical time management and equivalent surgical exposure, Inviscision proves to be a better alternative for TMJ surgeries through all other parameters.

Botox: Current and Emerging Trends for Dental Practitioners in Esthetic Dentistry.

There are numerous medical and dental disorders for which there are no effective traditional therapy options. For various medical and dental disorders, botulinum toxin (BT) can be employed as an alternate therapeutic option that uses the chemodenervation approach. The range of dentistry treatment choices is expanding quickly. Applications of non-traditional therapy alternatives, such as the use of BT, are becoming more and more common in this situation. Although BT has been shown to be effective in a number of circumstances, its application in esthetic operations, such as the treatment of facial wrinkles, has gained widespread acceptance. This research is especially interested in applications of BT related to dentistry in the craniofacial region. For many diseases that a dentist would be interested in treating, BT provides a temporary, reversible, and generally safe therapy option. Due to their extensive knowledge of the anatomy of the faciomaxillary region, dental surgeons are a potential pool of operators who, with a small amount of skill enhancement, can use BT in their toolkit. This broadens the scope of minimally invasive alternatives to invasive protocols or refractory conditions. An online search was conducted for the use of BT in dentistry; all studies and articles pertaining to the subject were chosen, and dental-related content was removed and summarized. The fundamentals of BT and some of its applications in dentistry are covered in this article. The comprehensive details of its application in dentistry will be covered in the upcoming sections.

Role of Low-Level Laser Therapy in the Management of Temporomandibular Joint Arthralgia.

To study the efficacy of low-level laser therapy in the management of temporomandibular joint arthralgia. Design Interventional study (pre-post study), Setting Meenakshi Medical College And Hospital, Research Institute. Subjects 50 patients with temporomandibular joint arthralgia were evaluated for pain, mouth opening and clicking sound while mouth opening before and after treatment. Method Patients are subjected to undergo low-level laser therapy with Infrared and red rays with a therapeutic dosage ranging from 8 J/cm2 to 15 J/cm2 up to 3-5 sessions for a month each session lasts for 15-20 min. The patients are to be followed up regularly after 1, 3, 6 and 8 months in the study.The study measured the range of mouth opening in patients before and after undergoing low-level laser therapy. Before treatment, the range of mouth opening was from 2.78 to 3.97 cm, with a mean value of 2.78 cm and a standard deviation of 0.22. After treatment, the range of mouth opening was from 2.78 to 3.97 cm, with a mean value of 3.97 cm and a standard deviation of 0.24. The study also measured the VAS score for pain, with a mean and standard deviation of 7.9 ± 0.73 before treatment and 0.88 ± 0.718 after treatment. There was a significant difference between the pretreatment and post-treatment VAS scores, with a P-value of 0.05. Low-level laser therapy is an effective non invasive treatment modality for temporomandibular joint arthralgia. The patients who underwent this procedure had symptomatic relief and no remissions were observed.

Arthroscopic management and recent advancements in the treatment of temporomandibular joint disorders.

In oral and maxillofacial surgery, the evolution of minimally invasive techniques has revolutionised the management of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. At the forefront of this advancement lies TMJ arthroscopy, a procedure that offers a precise approach to diagnosing and treating joint issues. TMJ arthroscopy is indicated in various clinical scenarios where a detailed evaluation and targeted interventions within the TMJ are required to alleviate symptoms, improve joint function, and enhance the overall quality of life of patients suffering from TMJ disorders.

Biomechanical behavior of temporomandibular joint movements driven by mastication muscles.

Surgery of jawbones has a high potential risk of causing complications associated with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of two drive modeling methods on the biomechanical behavior of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) including articular disc during mandibular movements. A finite element (FE) model from a healthy human computed tomography was used to evaluate TMJ dynamic using two methods, namely, a conventional spatial-oriented method (displacement-driven) and a compliant muscle-initiated method (masticatory muscle-driven). The same virtual FE model was 3D printed and a custom designed experimental platform was established to validate the accuracy of experimental and theoretical results of the TMJ biomechanics during mandibular movements. The results show that stress distributed to TMJ and articular disc from mandibular movements provided better representation from the muscle-driving approach than those of the displacement-driven modeling. The simulation and experimental data exhibited significant strong correlations during opening, protrusion, and laterotrusion (with canonical correlation coefficients of 0.994, 0.993, and 0.932, respectively). The use of muscle-driven modeling holds promise for more accurate forecasting of stress analysis of TMJ and articular disc during mandibular movements. The compliant approach to analyze TMJ dynamics would potentially contribute to clinic diagnosis and prediction of TMD resulting from occlusal disease and jawbone surgery such as orthognathic surgery or tumor resection.

Bilateral TMJ Ankylosis with limited mouth opening in pediatric patients: An anesthetic challenge.

Restricted mouth opening is a challenging airway in pediatric patients with temperomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis. The fiber-optic bronchoscopic nasotracheal intubation technique continues to be the gold standard for difficult airway, among the techniques available such as submandibular intubation, retrograde intubation, and tracheostomy. However, awake fiber-optic bronchoscopy (FOB) is difficult to achieve in pediatric patients. Prior planning of the anesthetic method and effective collaboration with the surgeon are crucial for excellent outcomes in such challenging airway cases. We present a successful awake fiber-optic bronchoscopy with high-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO), airway blocks, and deep sedation in the case of bilateral TMJ ankylosis of a pediatric age group with reduced mouth opening. We conclude that awake intubation using HFNO and airway blocks helps to achieve oxygenation and ease of intubation in difficult airway management.

Chondrogenic potential of superficial versus cartilage layer cells of the temporomandibular joint condyle in photopolymerizable gelatin-based hydrogels.

The objectives of this study were to compare the chondrogenic potential of cells derived from different layers of Mandibular condyle cartilage and to gain further understanding of the impact of chondrogenic cues when embedded into a novel hydrogel scaffold (PGH, a polymer blend of poly (ethylene glycol), gelatin, and heparin) compared to a gelatin hydrogel scaffold (GEL). Cartilage layer cells (CLCs) and fibroblastic superficial layer cells (SLCs) were harvested from the mandibular condyle of boer goats obtained from a local abattoir. After expansion, cells were seeded into PGH and GEL hydrogels and cultured in chondrogenic media for 3 weeks. Scaffolds were harvested at 0, 1, and 3 week(s) and processed for gross appearance, histochemical, biochemical, and mechanical assays. In terms of chondrogenesis, major differences were observed between scaffold materials, but not cell types. Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) staining showed GEL scaffolds deposited GAG during the 3 week period, which was also confirmed with the biochemical testing. Moreover, GEL scaffolds had significantly higher compressive modulus and peak stress than PGH scaffolds at all time points with the largest difference seen in week 3. It can be concluded that GEL outperformed PGH in chondrogenesis. It can also be concluded that materials play a more important role in the process of chondrogenesis than the tested cell populations. Fibroblastic SLCs were shown to have similar chondrogenic potential as CLCs cells, suggesting a rich pool of progenitor cells in the superficial fibroblastic layer capable of undergoing chondrogenesis given appropriate physical and chemical cues.

Motion reconstruction and finite element analysis of the temporomandibular joint during swallowing in healthy adults.

There is a close physiological connection between swallowing and the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). However, a shortage of quantitative research on the biomechanical behavior of the TMJ during swallowing exists. The purpose of this study was to reconstruct the movement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) based on in vivo experiment and analyze the biomechanical responses during swallowing in healthy adults to investigate the role of the TMJ in swallowing. Motion capture of swallowing, computed tomography (CT), and magnet resonance images (MRI) were performed on six healthy subjects. The movements of the TMJ during swallowing were reconstructed from the motion capture data. The three-dimensional finite element model was constructed. The dynamic finite element analysis of the swallowing process was performed based on the motion data. The range of condylar displacement was within 1 mm in all subjects. The left and right condyle movements were asymmetrical in two-thirds of the subjects. The peak stresses of the discs were relatively low, with a maximum of 0.11 MPa. During swallowing, the condylar displacement showed two trends: slow retraction and slow extension. The tendency to extend could lead to a gradual increase in stress on the disc.

Evaluation of the effect of dextrose prolotherapy versus deep dry needling therapy for the treatment of temporomandibular joint anterior disc displacement with reduction: (a randomized controlled trial).

OBJECTIVE: to compare the combined effect of Prolotherapy and Deep Dry Needling (DDN) versus DDN effect on relieving the symptoms of Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) anterior disc displacement. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The clinical trial randomly allocated forty patients. The (control group) patients received four intraarticular and masseteric DDN sessions, while the (study group) patients were subjected to the exact technique followed by Prolosolution injection. The baseline preoperative measurements included Maximal interincisal opening (MIO), auscultation of the presence of clicking, and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), which were repeated for postoperative measurements after one, two, five, and eight months. RESULTS: By the end of the study, all patients expressed apparent improvement in pain MIO and clicking. The inter- and intragroup comparison revealed that the pain score values of the control group after five and eight months were significantly higher than those of the study group. The study group demonstrated more significant MIO calibration than the control group, with insignificant differences between both groups regarding the presence of clicking at any time interval. The associations between clicking and VAS values, between clicking and MIO, and between VAS values and increased MIO were positive in the test group and negative in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Dextrose Prolotherapy and DDN were beneficial. However, Prolotherapy demonstrated more significant, sustained, and correlated long-term alleviation of symptoms and increased MIO. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The study assesses the sole effect of dextrose prolotherapy on relieving the signs of TMJ anterior disc displacement apart from the impact of the penetrating needle. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered on www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov (#: NCT05821985) by Ahmed Nagi Alghandour.

The dynamic progression of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis-like lesions elicited by mandibular shift in a rat model.

BACKGROUND: Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA) presents significant challenges due to its complex etiology, often insidious onset, high incidence, and progressive structural deterioration. While research has explored genetic and molecular factors, treatment outcomes remain suboptimal, emphasizing the need for a deeper understanding of disease progression. OBJECTIVE: This study employs a specific mandibular shift rat model to explore the dynamic progression of TMJ-OA-like lesions and evaluate the potential for self-repair at different stages, aiming to inform early diagnosis and preventative strategies. METHODS: Seventy-two female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into three groups: a control group (n=24; average weight: 157.23±1.63 g) receiving sham surgery. an experimental group (n=24; average weight: 157.78±1.88 g) subjected to mandibular shift induction, and a removal group (n=24; average weight: 158.11±2.20 g) experiencing mandibular shift for one, two, or four weeks followed by a one-month recovery period (designated as 1w Removal, 2w Removal and 4w Removal, respectively). Histomorphological and molecular analyses were conducted at designated time points. RESULTS: Rats in the 1-week removal group exhibited substantial recovery in condylar morphology, cartilage thickness, extracellular matrix composition, and expression of OA-related genes. Conversely, the 4-week removal group mirrored the experimental group, indicating limited self-repair capacity at later stages. The 2-week removal group presented with variable outcomes, with some animals showing signs of recovery and others resembling the experimental group, indicating a potential transitional phase in the disease process. CONCLUSION: Recovery from early-stage TMJ-OA involves eliminating provoking factors such as occlusal interference or reducing joint loading. However, advanced stages exhibit diminished self-repair capabilities, necessitating additional therapeutic interventions. These findings emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and intervention in TMJ-OA management.

Corrigendum: Trigeminal somatosensation in the temporomandibular joint and associated disorders.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpain.2024.1374929.].

Arthroscopic Assessment of Temporomandibular Joint Pathologies-Is It Possible for Non-Specialists in Arthroscopy? Analysis of Variability and Reliability of Dental Students' Ratings after a Comprehensive One-Semester Introduction.

Background: Arthroscopy of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) plays a long-established role in the diagnostics and therapy of patients suffering from arthrogenic temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), which do not respond adequately to conservative/non-invasive therapy. However, the interpretation of arthroscopic findings remains challenging. This study investigates the reliability and variability of assessing arthroscopic views of pathologies in patients with TMDs by non-specialists in arthroscopy and whether a standardized assessment tool may improve correctness. Methods: Following a comprehensive one-semester lecture, dental students in the clinical stage of education were asked to rate 25 arthroscopic views (freeze images and corresponding video clips) regarding the severity of synovitis, adhesions, and degenerative changes on a scale of 0-10 (T1). The results were compared to ratings stated by two European-board-qualified academic OMF surgeons. In a second round (T2), the students were asked to repeat the ratings using a 10-point rating scheme. Results: With regard to all three subcategories, congruency with the surgeons' results at T1 was at a low level (p < 0.05 in 19/75 cases) and even decreased at T2 after the implementation of the TMDs-SevS (p < 0.05 in 38/75 cases). For both T1 and T2, therefore, the inter-rater agreement was at a low level, showing only a slight agreement for all three subcategories (Fleiss' Kappa (κ) between 0.014 and 0.099). Conclusions: The judgement of the arthroscopic pathologies of the TMJ remains an area of temporomandibular surgery that requires wide experience and training in TMDs to achieve expertise in TMJ arthroscopic assessments, which cannot be transferred by theoretical instruction alone.

A proposed novel digital condylar position adjustment technique to help restore a normal disc-condyle relationship.

Objectives: To demonstrate a novel digital technique that enables real-time visualisation of occlusal transfer and adjustment of condyle position, to (1) improve the repeatability of occlusal transfer and the accuracy of condyle position adjustment and (2) be clinically effective in helping to restore the disc-condyle relationship. Materials and methods: Three participants were included in the study and underwent facebow transfers using two different methods. The digital method used patient-related three-dimensional imaging data matched with digital dental casts for occlusal transfer. The conventional method used anatomical facebows. The condylar position was adjusted based on occlusal transfer results. The results were evaluated and compared in three dimensions. In addition, clinical application data from 36 patients were analysed before and after condylar position adjustment. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Differences in the spatial positions of the three anatomical structures reproduced by both methods were statistically significant (p = 0.000). After adjusting the rotation of the condylar position, the positional deviation of the condylar point along the X- and Z-axes was significantly lower in the digital group (p < 0.05). After adjustment for translation (X and Z), the positional deviation showed no difference along the X- and Z-axes (p > 0.05) but a significant difference along the Y-axis (p < 0.001). Conclusion: A novel digital technique for occlusal transfer and condylar position adjustment was presented. This technique simplifies clinical practice, improves the accuracy of results, and can help restore a normal disc-condyle relationship.

Effectiveness of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of temporomandibular joint disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) pose diagnostic challenges, and selecting appropriate imaging modalities is crucial for accurate assessment. This study aimed to compare the diagnostic accuracy and efficacy of ultrasonography (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in identifying TMDs. METHODS: A comprehensive meta-analysis was conducted, including studies that compared US and MRI for TMJ disorder assessments. Fixed-effects models were utilized to calculate pooled odds ratios (ORs) and relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Heterogeneity was assessed using the chi-squared test and I2 statistic. Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used to assess the methodological quality of the studies included. RESULTS: Six studies were included, involving a total of 281 participants. The meta-analysis demonstrated that MRI was statistically somewhat better than US in identifying TMJ disorders. The summary OR was 0.64 (95% CI: 0.46-0.90), and the summary RR was 0.80 (95% CI: 0.68-0.95). Heterogeneity among the studies was low (χ2 = 2.73, df = 5, p = .74; I2 = 0%). Demographic variables revealed variations in sample size, gender ratio and mean age across the studies. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis provides evidence that MRI may be more effective than US in diagnosing TMDs. However, the study is limited by the small number of included studies and variations in demographic variables and study designs. Future research with larger samples and standardised protocols is essential to confirm and strengthen these findings. Understanding the diagnostic accuracy of MRI and US for TMJ disorders will aid clinicians in making informed decisions for effective TMJ disorder assessments and patient management.

Influence of Method of Treatment of Mandibular Condylar Fractures on Range of Articular Path Measured by Cadiax Device.

Background/Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the function of the treated temporomandibular joint based on the analysis of the image of the articular path using the Cadiax device depending on the choice of treatment method for unilateral condylar fracture of the mandible. Methods: Sixty patients who were treated for condylar fractures of the mandible at the Maxil-lofacial Surgery Department in Katowice were qualified for the analysis of the range of movements of the mandibular heads using the Cadiax device. From the group of patients who suffered fractures of the mandible, including condylar processes, patients were finally qualified for the measurement of the articular path of the injured and healthy joint according to strict criteria. Results: The condylar examination was performed in 20 patients who had conservative condylar fracture treatment and 40 patients who underwent various surgeries in the course of a single condylar fracture. The control group consisted of 20 patients whose mean values for the articular pathway measured for both sides were 12.73 and 12.69 and fell within the standard developed for healthy joints tested with the Cadiax device. Conclusions: We have achieved an almost ideal treatment for condylar fractures. We are also beginning to notice the need for rehabilitation of patients after this type of surgery.