Comparative analysis of temporomandibular joint morphology in degenerative joint disease: A cone-beam CT study in patients with and without arthralgia

Objectives

This cross-sectional study aimed to compare, by using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT), temporomandibular joint (TMJ) morphology among patients with degenerative joint disease (DJD) with or without arthralgia, as well as a control group. Methods: Thirty-one patients and their respective CBCT TMJ exams were assessed. These individuals were selected from an Orofacial Pain Service and classified into three groups based on the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD): group 1 (10 patients with TMJ DJD and arthralgia), group 2 (11 patients with TMJ DJD without pain), and group 3 (the control group, consisting of 10 healthy individuals without any signs or symptoms of TMD). A second examiner, who was calibrated and blinded for the patient's diagnosis, evaluated the CBCT images. Results: Group 1 showed a statistically significant association with the variables of erosion (p = 0.003) and osteophyte (p = 0.04) on the condyle surface, as well as concentric condyle position with reduced joint space (p = 0.01). The Kappa concordance index between the clinical diagnosis of DC/TMD and CBCT images was k = 0.134 (p ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: The presence of erosion, osteophyte, and concentric condyle position with reduced joint space was statistically associated with DJD and ongoing TMJ joint pain.