ABSTRACT
BAKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
Arthralgia is a common complaint among patients with temporomandibular osteodegeneration, however, for the accurate diagnosis of osteodegeneration, it is suggested the adoption of imaging tests associated with standardized clinical diagnosis protocols. The objective of this study was to evaluate patients with degenerative changes in the temporomandibular joint previously visualized by cone beam computed tomography, relating these changes with the clinical diagnoses and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders, in order to conclude which of the degenerative changes develop more painful symptomatology.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional observational descriptive study. Thirty-eight patients who had previously done the cone beam computed tomography exam were evaluated. Subjects were grouped according to clinical diagnosis of temporomandibular joint changes using the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders questionnaire. The presence of pain was considered during lateral palpation; intra-articular palpation; excursive movements; and active mouth opening.
RESULTS:
Among the purely clinical diagnoses, only 10.5% were conclusive, classifying patients as suffering from osteoarthritis/osteoarthrosis. Painful joint symptoms were found in all groups, with no statistically significant difference. Similarly, the presence of degenerative disorders, including flattening, osteophytes, sclerosis, and erosion were found in similar proportions in all diagnosis groups.
CONCLUSION:
89.5% of the degenerative changes were clinically underdiagnosed. There was a positive association between the presence of symptoms and the number of correct clinical diagnoses of osteoarthritis/osteoarthrosis obtained with the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders.
Keywords:
Arthralgia; Cone-beam computed tomography; Osteoarthritis; Temporomandibular joint disorders
Thumbnail
