Before recent advances in the last three decades, evaluation of the temporomandiular joint (TMJ) was primarily done by plain radiography and arthrography.CT scan adds more detail in the study of articular surfaces and anatomy of the joint. However, no direct vision upon delicate structures of the joint was available.MRI has changed this point of view by high contrast resolution of soft tissues.Nevertheless, various pulse sequences and imaging techniques in this modality, cause some controversy and confusion about the best technique for detection of anatomy of the joint and its different pathologic conditions.After a concise review of the anatomy and defining various techniques, our scope is to verify which of these pulse sequences can better delineate joint structures and disorders.

Background: Temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) is one of the most prevalent jaw disorders, and it is considered as the main cause of orofacial pain of non-dental origin. TMD has different etiologies, which are not yet fully known. The morphology of the components of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) has been discussed as an etiological factor of TMD. These parameters include the position of the condyle in the articular fossa, the horizontal angle of the condyle, and the slope, width and height of the articular eminence. The possible relationship between the TMJ morphology and the incidence of TMD has been reviewed in this study. Method: This paper is not a systematic review but is a review of literature on the relationship between TD and JM. A computerized search of five electronic databases, including PubMed, Medline, Scopus, Web of Sciences and google scholar from 1st January 1980 to June 2018 was conducted. “ Temporomandibular dysfunction” , “ Temporomandibular joint” and “ morphology” were used as key phrases. Results: The search revealed 102 papers that were screened in detail. Owing to a lack of relevance to the subject area, 59 papers were excluded. Thus, the review consisted of 43 clinically relevant papers that met all the criteria. Conclusion: Most of the selected studies included in this review article revealed that that TMJ morphology plays an important role in the pathogenesis of TMD. Therefore, the morphologic variation of the joint should be considered as an important element in the pathogenesis of TMD.

Background: The etiology of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) is complex and associated with multiple predisposing and initiating factors. Articular eminence morphology and steep eminence inclination have been postulated as the etiological factors, but there has been no clear evidence of association of morphology of the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) complex as a probable predisposing factor in the pathogenesis of TMDs. Materials and Methods: This was a cross‑ sectional, case– control study, and cone‑ beam computed tomography scans, and the evaluation was performed for 60 joints in 30 patients with symptomatic TMDs and for 40 healthy joints of 20 age‑ matched patients. One‑ way ANOVA, post hoc, unpaired t‑ test, Chi‑ square, and intra‑ class correlation coefficient test were used to determine the correlation between the TMJ articular eminence inclination, height, condylar bone changes, condyle, and fossa shapes with symptomatic TMDs. The P < 0. 05 were considered statistically significant. Results: There was a statistically significant difference of articular eminence inclination and height with a steeper eminence inclination in the control group (P = 0. 044*, and 0. 035*). The condylar bone changes were found to be significantly more in the TMJ disorder group (P = 0. 001*). There was no significant association of condyle and fossa shapes (P = 0. 482 and 0. 689) and of articular eminence inclination and height with condylar bone changes (P = 0. 695, 0. 498, 0. 192, and 0. 823) and condyle shapes (P = 0. 389, 0. 521, 0. 260, and 0. 387). The eminence inclination was not associated with fossa shapes (P = 0. 471 and 0. 086), but eminence height was associated with fossa shapes in the TMJ disorder group (P = 0. 043* and 0. 111). Conclusion: The results depicted that there was no significant association between TMJ complex anatomy and TMJ disorders in the present study population.

Introduction: Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders are among the most prevalent abnormalities of the jaw, which affect the masticatory system, including the muscles, TMJ, and tendons. Clinical examination alone cannot determine the cause of temporomandibular disorder (TMD). In most cases, the cause of TMD and a proper treatment plan are determined based on imaging modalities. The present study aimed to investigate the bone changes in the patients with TMD symptoms using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methods: This retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted through recording data on the pain caused by TMJ (upon touching, using the TMJ, and maximum mouth opening), clicking, and crepitus using a checklist of clinical symptoms. CBCT images were examined for the associated bone changes, including sclerosis, flattening, erosion, and osteophyte. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 21 using Chi-square and logistic regression analysis. Results: In total, 160 joint images were examined, including 132 cases of flattening (82. 5%), 45 cases of sclerosis (28. 12%), 41 cases of osteophytes (25. 62%), and 66 cases of erosion (41. 25%). A significant association was observed between pain and flattening, and sclerosis and osteophytes. Moreover, a significant correlation was observed between flattening and clicking (P<0. 05). Conclusion: According to the results, flattening was the most common bone change in the patients with TMD. In addition, sclerosis had the most significant association with pain, while sclerosis, osteophytes, and erosion were significantly correlated with joint crepitation.

Introduction: Osteochondroma is one of the most common benign bone tumors and however is relatively uncommon in the jaws. The aim of this study was to review the literature about osteochondroma and to report a case of large osteochondroma in temporomandibular joint space. Treatment included osteotomy of condylar neck followed by reshaping.Case report: This study presents a 26-year-old man with a large osteochondroma in temporomandibular joint space in left side of his face with the complaint of facial asymmetry (deviated to the right side). The patient was admitted to the Hospital of Taleghani in Tehran, in October 2002. Conclusion: Condylectomy cannot be recommended as routine in all cases. Common surgical treatments include condylectomy and reconstruction. If the tumor involves only a limited area of the condylar surface, then preservation of the remaining portion of the condyle and reshaping should be done. Reasons for not taking such a conservative approach are the possibilities of malignancy and the risk of recurrence. In this case report, because of large size of tumor, zygomatic arch was broken and osteotomy of condylar neck was used and remaining part was reshaped. The zygomatic arch was returned to the primary position and fixed with miniplate and screw.

Background: Ankylosis of temporomandibular joint describes the pathological development of bony connections or fibrosis that occurs in the region between the condylar head of the mandible and the glenoid fossa of the temporal bone. This condition can severely affect the function of temporomandibular joint and its mobility. The aim of this study was to evaluate the practicality of CBCT imaging in different types of temporomandibular joint ankylosis. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 32 cases of ankylosed temporomandibular joint from 26 patients (12 males and 14 females) aged 8-65 years (mean age: 29. 8± 14. 3) who had visited a private maxillofacial clinic between 2013 and 2016 for CBCT images of temporomandibular joint and had been diagnosed with ankylosis by a maxillofacial surgeon. The present study relied on both Dongmei’ s and Sawhney’ s classifications to assess the different types of joint ankylosis. A number of morphological parameters, including: D1 (the mediolateral diameter of the condyle), D2 (the width of the bony fusion area), D3 (the degree of calcification in the bony fusion area) and D4 (the D2/D1 ratio) were also defined and registered. Results: All of the four variables (D1, D2, D2/D1 and D4) showed a negative correlation with the extent of mouth opening, but the amounts were non-significant (P>0. 05). The level of agreement between the two classification approaches was significantly low (P=0. 003). The highest degree of coronoid hyperplasia was seen in types II and III according to both Sawhney’ s and Dongmei’ s classifications. The greatest measure of condylar head displacement was observed in types II and III of Sawhney’ s, and type III of Dongmei’ s classification. Connection in the lateral side of the joint in type III of both Sawhney’ s and Dongmei’ s classifications was the most frequent case. More severe cases of ankylosis were commonly associated with older ages, but the relationship was not significant (P>0. 05). Conclusions: CBCT seems to be the most advantageous modality of imaging as far as temporomandibular joint abnormalities are concerned, including ankylosis. Although the application of the two conventional classifications (Sawhney’ s and Dongmei’ s) produced little agreement in terms of radiological findings, it seems that the employment of such classifications in conjunction with CBCT imaging is a promising method for the diagnosis and evaluation of temporomandibular joint ankylosis.