Comparative Analysis of Bilateral Temporomandibular Joints in Patients With Unilateral Temporomandibular Joint Complaints Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography.

OBJECTIVE: This study was to determine if there was any temporomandibular joint (TMJ) indicator that was not statistically different in the controls but was with statistical difference between the bilateral sides in patients with unilateral TMJ complaints using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). METHODS: TMJ CBCT images of 123 patients were used to preliminarily determine the indicators suitable for the measuring method. TMJ CBCT image reconstruction was performed and 19 indicators were measured. Thirty-six patients without TMJ complaint were used as controls. These bilateral TMJs were analyzed by paired t test to find out the indicators without statistical significance in the control group. Fifty patients with TMJ complaints unilaterally were used to determine the indicators that showed no statistical difference in the control group and showed statistical difference in the unilateral TMJ complaints group. RESULTS: All measured values showed no difference statistically in the control group, except the radius value. In the group of unilateral TMJ complaints, sagittal 60° joint space was statistically different (P < 0.05); parallel 120° and sagittal 90° joint space were significantly different (P < 0.01); the rest of the measured values proved to be of no statistical difference. CONCLUSIONS: Sagittal 60° joint space, parallel 120°, and sagittal 90° joint space were suggested to be the indicators with statistical difference between symptomatic side and asymptomatic side in patients with unilateral TMJ complaints. Comparing with the asymptomatic side, there is a significant joint space increase in symptomatic side in the patients with unilateral TMJ complaint.