A NEW METHOD FOR ASSESSING THE TEMPOROMANDIBULAR-JOINT QUANTITATIVELYBY DENTAL SCAN

The objective of this study was to assess the applicability of a multi planar reformatting program (dental scan) for delineation and quantita tive evaluation of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in the sagittal a nd coronal planes using tile data of axial computed tomography. The re sulting images were compared with standardized linear tomograms and di rect sagittal and frontal computed tomography. Standardized linear tom ograms and computed tomography of the TMJ in axial, frontal and sagitt al planes were obtained in 11 patients, The axial computed tomography slices were then reconstructed in oblique frontal and sagittal planes according to the horizontal condylar angle of the TMJ by dental scan s oftware, For each patient and each of the three imaging methods, 14 me asurements were undertaken and 24 qualitative characterizations were a ssessed, Axial computed tomograms in combination with their correspond ing coronal and sagittal reconstructions were more accurate than conve ntional tomograms. Direct coronal and sagittal scans gave the most det ailed images, but required additional radiation dose, time and cost, R econstructions of axial computed tomography slices of the TMS using th e dental scan software show several advantages over linear tomograms, They allow qualitative as well as quantitative evaluation of the TMJ.