Transcranial radiography: correlation between actual and radiographic joint spaces.

AbstractThe purpose of this article is to report on the ability of the transcranial radiograph to view the temporomandibular joint space and the position of the condyle within the fossa. This was studied by placing six shims of known thickness one by one on a condyle and then radiographing the joint. The shims gave known minimum distances between the condyle and the fossa, and the transcranial films were studied with this in mind. The radiographs produced provided the examiner with clear and accurate views of a direct correlation between the known minimum joint space and the space seen on the radiograph.