The morphological changes in the condylar head with the passage of time are not well known. There are few reports of successfully treating TMD by conservative therapy that include imaging studies as the symptoms improve.
Morphological changes in the condylar head were studied on selected temporomandibular joint (TMJ) lateral tomography before, during or after treatment.
As a result, among 53 patients (106 TMJs), 7 condylar heads (6.6%) which were free of significant abnormal radiographic findings on the first examination showed structural changes on the follow-up examination. Findings included: irregular formation of the articular surface in 4, shortening of the condylar head in 4, osteophyte formation in 3, roundness of the articular surface in 2, flattening in 2 and double contour formation of the posterior aspect in 1.
However, substantial abnormalities in 36 condylar heads (34.0%) were detected on the first examination. Remarkable structural changes occurred between the first examination and the follow-up examination. These included: irregular formation of the articular surface of increase of the irregularity in 21, flattening of the condylar head in 17, shortening of the condylar head in 17, osteophyte formation in 12, roundness of the articular surface in 10, concavity formation in the posterior aspect in 4, double contour formation only in 2 and flattening of the articular tubercle or its posterior slope in 8.
These results suggested that morphological changes in the condylar head with the passage of time varied. However, approximately one fifth of condylar heads in patients with TMD showed a tendency toward shortening accompanied by flattening or roundness.
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