A radiological evaluation of the effects of edentulousness on the temporomandibular joint

Background The articular eminence of the temporomandibular joint is an anatomical structure exposed to functional loads resulting from masticatory forces. Tooth loss may change the biomechanics of the masticator system, and the articular eminence can be affected by this change. Objective The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between the edentulousness and the articular eminence inclination of the temporomandibular joint. Methods The articular eminence inclination was measured in panoramic radiographs in the right and left temporomandibular joint on a total of 100 patients (50 dentate and 50 edentulous). The articular eminence inclination of dentate and edentulous patients was compared, as well as the influence of gender and duration of edentulousness. Results The mean articular eminence inclination value in the dentate group (42.6 +/- 4.3(0)) was higher than that of the edentulous group (35.1 +/- 4.7(0), P < .001). Although there was no significant difference between males and females in the dentate group with regard to articular eminence inclination (42.0 +/- 4.7(0) and 42.9 +/- 4.1(0), respectively, P = .373), in the edentulous group, males had higher values as compared to females (37.1 +/- 4.7(0) and 34.2 +/- 4.5(0), respectively, P = .003). Finally, the duration of edentulousness and the degrees of articular eminence inclination values did not show positive correlations (P = .782). Conclusion According to the results of this study, we found that edentulous patients had lower articular eminence inclination than dentate patients, and it was more prominent in female than male patients.