Study of the temporomandibular disorders (TMD) with Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with active and passive mouth opening

Abstract

SUMMARY: Objectives: TMD evaluation heavily relies on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In several investigations, the MRI examination results do not support the clinical diagnosis. The clinical examination’s diagnostic precision varies, falling between 54 and 90 percent. Our working theory holds that the method used to acquire the MRI is what allows for the acquisition of objective diagnostic findings. Materials and Method: The RDC-TMD diagnostic technique identified 30 patients as having “anterior displacement with reduction as the subjects. The results of the MRI test performed with the mouth closed supported the clinical diagnosis. The distance between the center of the condyle head and the apex of the articular eminence for each joint, as well as the range of motion of the condyle by passive mouth opening (biting a 60ml syringe plunger) and by active maximal mouth opening, without the use of an intraoral appliance, were calculated for each patient in the closed mouth position. Results: The condyle has a wider range of motion with the active opening typically, but the passive opening typically hides subluxation due to hypermobility.Conclusion: Our data underwent statistical analysis, which demonstrated that active and passive opening are two distinct techniques that provide access to various imaging findings.