Comperative analysis of the morphometric structures of patients with and without temporomandibular joint internal derangement: Evaluation by using cone beam computed tomography

The aim of this study is to compare the morphometric measurements obtained from cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of individuals with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) internal derangement and individuals without any TMJ problems, thereby revealing differences in joint morphology. This study was conducted on CBCT images of 144 individuals (82 females, 62 males) who applied to Çukurova University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery between 2021-2025 with complaints such as pain in the TMJ region and underwent arthrocentesis, and 127 individuals (69 females, 58 males) who had no problems in the TMJ region and did not undergo arthrocentesis. The control group consisted of 127 individuals (69 women, 58 men) who had no problems in the TMJ region and did not undergo arthrocentesis. Thirteen different morphometric parameters were measured from CBCT images and processus condylaris surface morphology was classified. Statistical analyses of the data were performed using IBM SPSS 20.00 software, and p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. The mediolateral diameter of the processus condylaris, the thickness of the glenoid fossa roof, the processus condylaris height, the depth of the glenoid fossa and all joint spaces were found to be greater in males than in females. The anteroposterior diameter and the length of the processus condylaris were found to be lower in individuals with TMJ internal derangement compared to the control group; while the thickness of the glenoid fossa roof, anterior joint space and glenoid fossa width were found to be higher in the same group (p<0.05). In the evaluation of processus condylaris morphology, the incidence of flat, pointed, and irregular processus condylaris condyle types was higher in individuals with TMJ internal irregularity than in individuals without TMJ internal irregularity, although this difference was not found to be statistically significant. (p>0.05). Furthermore, while the convex processus condylaris type was observed as 83.5% in the control group, this rate was 63.9% in the study group. This study demonstrates that internal derangement of the temporomandibular joint causes not only functional but also morphological changes in the joint structures. The results obtained from our study highlight the value of morphometric analyses in the early detection of TMJ disorders, both in the diagnostic process and in treatment planning.