Imaging the temporomandibular joint by double contrast cone-beam computed arthrotomography

Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) has developed as a newly computerized radiographic technique in dentistry and this offers non-distorted computer aided imaging of maxillofacial region. This new technique was applied for the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) imaging with encouraging results. CBCT showed high radiological performance to detect intra-articular lesion of the TMJ, providing significant differences in the comparison with conventional transcranial arthrogram. Those clear images of TMJ can help clinicians to understand the lesion of the TMJ and its reliable information will have added greatly positive impact on the treatment modalities. In this paper, the new technique to visualize intra-articular region in the TMJ is introduced comparing the results with those by conventional method. Fibrous adhesion in the superior joint space was the most frequently observed finding by CBCT.