LENGTHS OF CONDYLAR PATHWAYS MEASURED WITH COMPUTERIZED AXIOGRAPHY (CADIAX(R)) AND OCCLUSAL INDEX IN PATIENTS AND VOLUNTEERS

The lengths of the condylar pathways during protrusive and opening mov ements were investigated with computerized axiography in 100 individua ls. Forty-two patients suffering from anterior disk displacement with reduction (ADD) in one or both temporomandibular joints (TMJ) and 28 p atients with anterior overrotation clicking (AOC) of the TMJ were comp ared with 30 asymptomatic volunteers. Patients suffering from ADD show ed significantly shorter tracings than did the two other groups. A sig nificant difference of length of TMJ movement between men and women wa s found only in one group. The occlusal indices (OI) of the three grou ps were assessed and compared with each other. Here, a significant dif ference was found between volunteers and patients suffering ADD and be tween volunteers and patients with AOC. Between men and women a signif icant difference of the OI was found in the group with AOC, women pres enting higher scores than men. Except for the group of patients with A DD, who showed shorter average lengths, volunteers as well as patients with AOC, were within the normal limits given in the literature for T MJ movement lengths recorded with axiography. The results of this exam ination therefore indicate that when considering movement length alone no discrimination between healthy and diseased TMJ can be made.