Detection and Severity Assessment of Temporomandibular Joint Osteoarthritic Changes in Patients with Temporomandibular Disorders Using CBCT

Background and objectives: Osteoarthritis refers to a non-inflammatory condition often linked to aging. It involves the gradual breakdown of bone, cartilage, and surrounding soft tissues around the joints. The aim of this study is to detect osteoarthritic change in patients with temporomandibular disorder, to determine the severity of osteoarthritic changes, and to assess the relation of gender and age with the severity prevalence of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis. Material and method: This retrospective, cross-sectional study analyzed 100 cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans of the temporomandibular joint from patients diagnosed with temporomandibular disorder. To assess osteoarthritis in the temporomandibular joint, the study applied the research diagnostic criteria specific to temporomandibular disorder. The presence of osseous modifications, such erosion, flattening, sclerosis, subcortical, osteophyte, and resorption, was evaluated for condylar head and articular eminence. The impact of osteoarthritic alterations was assessed for each joint. Result: The prevalence of osteoarthritic change in patients with temporomandibular disorder was 70%. A significant correlation was found in the prevalence of AO and age. The prevalence of OA was 90.6% among those aged less than 25 years old, and the lowest prevalence (53.8%) was in the age group 25–34. No significant association was detected between gender and the prevalence of OA: 72.7% in males and 68.7% in females. Erosion (65%) and flattening (64%), the most common findings of osteoarthritic changes of the condyle, the association between age and condylar osseous changes was not significant. There is no significant association between osteoarthritic change severity and gender or age. No significant association was detected between age and changes in articular eminence. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of osteoarthritic change among patients with temporomandibular disorder. The prevalence and severity of degenerative bone changes don’t increase with age; they can occur in any age group. Keywords: Cone beam computed tomography; Osteoarthritis; Temporomandibular joint; Temporomandibular joint Disorder.