SPATIAL AND MORPHOLOGIC ASPECTS OF TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINTS WITH SOUNDS

Various spatial and morphological aspects of the temporomandibular joi nt may be involved in the development of TMJ sounds. The present study examines their contribution to the prediction of sounds. A non-patien t sample was studied using sensitive sound measurement and panoramic r adiography. It was found that temporomandibular joint sounds are commo n in asymptomatic subjects showing substantial variation in several sp atial and morphological parameters. An autonomous contribution of spat ial relationships, asymmetries or morphology of bony structures to the prediction of joint sounds could not be detected. When unilateral sou nds were present, they were more Likely to be found on the side with t he Less steep condylar movement path. Joint imaging is not indicated i n the detection of relationships between bony structures and their eve ntual asymmetries and joint sounds.