The prevalence of TMJ osteoarthritis in asymptomatic patients with dentofacial deformities: a cone-beam CT study

Osteoarthritis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can be described as non-inflammatory arthritic condition that results in degenerative changes of the joint structures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the skeletal morphology of the TMJ in patients with osteoarthritis with severe skeletal malocclusions (Class II and Class III) and patients with Class I occlusion as controls. Cone beam computed tomography images of 45 Class I, 28 Class II and 44 Class III joints of Caucasian patients were assessed for the presence of any degenerative changes in the condyle and fossa/eminence complex as described in the research diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders (RDC/TMD). In all groups, the most commonly observed features were articular surface flattening and subcortical sclerosis. A combination of features that corresponds to a diagnosis of osteoarthritis was observed in 3% Class I, 43% Class II and 20% Class III patient joints. In conclusion, degenerative TMJ changes were more common in patients with skeletal jaw discrepancies, but wide inter-individual variations can be observed even in patients with clinically similar malocclusions.