CBCT analysis of morphological and anthropometric parameters of the temporomandibular joint in patients with different dental status

Objective: Investigate the relationship between age, gender and dental status with changes in the osseous structures of the TMJ. Material and Methods: The study included 110 CBCT images of patients. According to age, the CBCT images of patients were divided into three groups: 20-40 years old, 40-60 years old, group over 60 years old. According to dental status, the images of patients were divided according to the Eichner's classification I, II and III. Analysis and measurements, vertical, linear and angular were performed on CBCT images: condylar morphology, medio-lateral and antero-posterior width condyles, height and inclination of the articular eminence and depth of the glenoid fossa. Results: One-way ANOVA revealed no statistically significant differences in any TMJ measurements across Eichner classes I, II, and III and between the different age groups. Significant difference was observed for antero-posterior condylar width between the age groups (p = 0.016). Males showed significantly greater medio-lateral condylar width (p = 0.0006), as well as a larger articular eminence height and inclination (p = 0.003, p = 0.006,), and a greater glenoid fossa depth (p = 0.0036) compared to females. Coronal morphology was not significantly associated with sex and age. Sagittal condylar morphology showed a trend toward statistical significance in relation to age (p = 0.055). Conclusion: Antero-posterior condylar width was significantly shorter with increasing age. Men showed significantly greater medio-lateral condyle width, articular eminence height and inclination, and greater glenoid fossa depth in relation to women. Dental status classified according to Eichner showed no measurable association with temporomandibular joint morphology in this sample. Only sagittal condylar morphology showed a trend toward statistical significance with respect to age.