Incidence of Degenerative Changes in the Mandibular Condyle of Patients with and without Posterior Teeth Degenerative Changes in the Mandibular Condyle of Patients with and without Posterior Teeth
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Abstract
Degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a common age-related condition characterized by the deterioration of the joint's articular surfaces. Approximately 50% of the general population experiences TMJ disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the degenerative changes in the condyles of patients with and without posterior teeth. The panoramic images of 237 patients aged between 18 and 75 years (mean age 33.6 ± 14.4 years; 109 males and 128 females), categorized into two groups based on dental status: Group A consisted of patients with complete upper and lower posterior dentition, while Group B included those who were completely edentulous in the upper and/or lower posterior regions. The images were selected based on defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Various condylar changes were assessed, including hypoplasia, hyperplasia, internal resorption, erosion, subcortical sclerosis, osteophytes, subchondral cysts, and ankylosis. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Among the 237 patients, 79.7% had intact posterior dentition on the right side, and 76.8% on the left side. The most frequently observed degenerative changes included internal resorption (18.1%) on the left side and condylar hypoplasia (25.3%) on the right side. A significant difference in degeneration was noted between edentulous and dentulous individuals, particularly on the right side, with higher rates of internal resorption (p<0.05). Multinomial logistic regression indicated that the absence of posterior teeth significantly increased the risk for bone changes (p< 0.05) and erosion (p< 0.05). In conclusion, retaining posterior teeth is protective against specific TMJ degenerative changes, underscoring the importance of occlusal stability.
Keyword: Panoramic images, mandibular condyle, degenerative changes, dental status
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