Association between the morphology and thickness of bony components of TMJ and gender, Age and remaining teeth on cone beam computed tomography images of an Iranian population

Abstract

Various factors such as aging, sex hormones and the distribution pattern of occlusal forces affect the morphology and osseous components of the temporomandibular joint. Recognition of the effect of these factors on the anatomy of the area results in the differentiation of normal variations from the abnormal cases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between morphology of condyle and the hard components of TMJ and age, gender and the number of existing teeth. Materials and Methods A total of 145 CBCT images were evaluated in the present descriptive-analytical study. The condyle morphology, the thickness of the glenoid fossa roof, and the height and slope of the eminence were evaluated. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistical methods and also t-test, chi-squared test, correlation coefficient, and univariate and multivariate ANOVA, using SPSS 16. Results There were significant differences between both sides in terms of gender for the height of the articlar eminence measurments (P=0.008 and P0.001 on the right and left sides, respectively). There were significant differences between both sides in terms of the number of existing teeth for the slope of articlar eminence measurments (P=0.01 and P=0.008 on the right and left sides, respectively).The height of the articular eminence on the left side was significant in terms of age (P=0.005) and the number of existing teeth (P=0.02). Conclusion No significant relationship was found between the thickness of glenoid fossa roof and the articular eminence and the condyle morphology in all the three cross-sections in the present study in terms of the roles of gender, age and the number of remaining teeth.