Analysis by computerized Axiography of condylar movements with TMJ disfunction

Abstract

We studied three-dimensional condylar movements in normal subjects and patients with TMJ disorders using computerized Axiography. In the normal subjects, both condyles moved forward and downward smoothly without lateral deviation during opening and closing as well as protrusive movements. During lateral excursion, the balancing side condyle moved forward, downward and inward, while the working side condyle moved sightly backward, upward and outward. In the patients with anterior disc displacement with reduction, condylar movement was asymmetric. The condyle on the affected side translated in a figure-eight path that was distorted at the beginning of the opening phase and the end of the closing phase. In the patients without reduction, the condylar path on the affected side was short and relatively steep during opening and closing movements.