Relationship between the degenerative changes in the mandibular condyle and articular eminence inclination, height, and shape: A cbct study

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to analyze any relationship between the articular eminence inclination, height and shape and degenerative condylar changes using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: The assessments were established on CBCT images of 566 temporomandibular joints (TMJ) that were included from the archive. Age and sex were recorded for all individuals. Degenerative changes were examined on the articular surface of the condyle. The articular eminence (AE) inclination and height measurements were performed on central parasagittal slices of the TMJs. The shape of the AE was classified as box-shaped, sigmoid, flattened, and deformed. Results: The prevalence of degenerative changes in the condyle was higher in males, but no significant difference was found (p˃0.05). Mean AE inclination and height were greater in males than females (p<0.05). Reduced mean eminence inclination and height values were detected in the +50-year-old group (p<0.05). Sigmoid and box-shaped articular eminence morphologies were more common. The eminence with a deformed shape was related to two or more degenerative alterations in the condylar head. Conclusion: The eminence inclination and height are associated with the presence and types of degenerative condylar changes. There are significant relationships between sex-AE morphology and age-AE morphology.