TEMPOROMANDIBULAR-JOINT SPACE ANALYSIS

Radiographic interpretation of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) frequ ently revolves around a determination of condyle concentricity. The pu rpose of this study was to establish the relationship between actual a nd radiographic joint space, the latter determined from lateral correc ted tomograms made by a Soredex Scanora. Vacuum-formed shims were pla ced over the condylar heads of a human skull and tomographic images of the TMJs were made. These shims were measured using a caliper and the mean thickness was used to represent actual joint space. Thickness of the shims fabricated for the right condyle varied from .15 mm (1 shim ) to 1.60 mm (5 shims). The resulting radiographs were measured to det ermine the extent to which actual and radiographic joint space compare d.