Abstract
Orthopantomograms are useful when abnomalities of the jaws, maxillary sinuses and teeth are present.
In spite of its unsharpness in imaging comparing with routine radiography, orthopantomogram has a special advantage in displaying cases of temporomandibular joint ankylosis because of no need to open the mouth.
Correct interpretation and evaluation of the range and characteristics of ankylosis are important in treatment planning and surgery. However, only a few reports are found in respect to the orthopantomographic evaluation of temporomandibular joint ankylosis. Thirty-four cases from 1968 to 1982 were observed by this orthopantomographic method.
As a result, it showed that there is a clear correlation between the extent, degree of fusing and the length in disease of ankylosis. But there are no differences in etiologic factors nor in both sexes. The larger the extent of ankylosis, the larger was the severity of inability on the mouth opening and development hypertrophy of muscular process and antegonial notching was clearly observed.
