USEFULNESS OF TOMOGRAPHY IN THE EVALUATION OF PATIENTS WITH TEMPOROMANDIBULAR DISORDERS - A RETROSPECTIVE CLINICAL-STUDY

Objectives, To evaluate the effect of temporomandibular joint tomograp hy on the diagnosis and management of temporomandibular disorders and to determine whether there were any clinical predictors of usefulness of tomography in providing new information helpful in the treatment of these patients. Study design, The charts of 116 patients with temporo mandibular joint tomograms were reviewed retrospectively for presentin g signs and symptoms, initial clinical diagnosis, and alterations in d iagnosis and management as a result of tomography. Results, Common cli nical diagnoses included osteoarthrosis (54%) and internal derangement (42%). Tomography changed the diagnosis in 24%, mainly adding or subt racting, osteoarthrosis, and altered the management in 17%. Most of th e latter were minor changes in treatment recommendations. There were f ew clinical variables that were related to whether tomography changed diagnosis or management. Conclusions, Tomography seems to have a minim al effect on the diagnosis or management of temporomandibular disorder s based on the results of this retrospective study.