[Cone beam CT imaging findings in patients with temporomandibular joint disorder syndrome and unilateral chewing].

PURPOSE: To analyze the cone beam CT (CBCT) features in patients with temporomandibular disorder syndrome (TMD) and unilateral chewing. METHODS: A total of 80 patients with temporomandibular disorder syndrome (TMD) and unilateral chewing were selected as the experimental group, and 40 healthy volunteers were selected as the control group. Both groups underwent bilateral CBCT scans to obtain three-dimensional images, and the temporomandibular joint(TMJ) parameters were measured and compared between the two groups. The data were analyzed performed using SPSS 22.0 software package. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in bilateral TMJ parameters in the control group(P＞0.05). The inner and outer diameter of the condyle on the unilateral chewing side of the experimental group was significantly lower than that on the non-unilateral chewing side, and the condyle horizontal angle and condyle height were significantly higher than those on the non-unilateral chewing side(P＜0.05). The anteroposterior diameter of the condyle, the inner and outer diameter of the condyle, the horizontal angle of the condyle, the vertical angle of the condyle, the intra-articular space and the post-articular space of the experimental group were significantly lower than those of the control group, while the pre-articular space was significantly higher than that of the control group(P＜0.05). The anteroposterior diameter and retro-articular space of the condyle on the non-unilateral chewing side were significantly lower than those in the control group, and the inner and outer diameters of the condyle were significantly higher than those on the unilateral chewing side, and the height of the condyle was significantly lower than that on the unilateral chewing side(P＜0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with TMD syndrome and unilateral chewing have abnormal changes in bilateral TMJ structure, showing medial and posterior displacement of the condyle on the unilateral chewing side and a compensatory increase in the pre-articular space on the non-unilateral chewing side.