Differentiating temporomandibular disorder subtypes using advanced kinematic parameters: a novel approach to the diagnosis of temporomandibular disorders

Abstract

This study investigates temporomandibular disorders (TMD), focusing on the complex kinematics of the mandible, which are crucial for accurate diagnosis. Traditional imaging techniques often fail to capture the dynamic behavior of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). To address this, the study utilizes advanced kinematic parameters such as mandibular range of motion, finite helical axis distribution, dynamic joint space, and mandibular deviation to evaluate TMD patients. A total of 24 participants, including both TMD patients and healthy controls, were assessed using motion capture and CT imaging systems. The results revealed significant differences in the finite helical axis distribution, dynamic joint space, and mandibular deviation between TMD patients and healthy controls, with all differences being statistically significant (P < 0.05). Discriminant analysis based on these kinematic parameters achieved a classification accuracy of 94.40 %, highlighting their potential value in TMD diagnosis. The findings demonstrate that advanced kinematic analysis can provide valuable insights into TMJ biomechanics, enhancing the accuracy of TMD diagnosis and supporting individualized patient management. Incorporating kinematic assessments may facilitate earlier and more precise interventions for patients with TMD.