Effects of osseous structure based on three-dimensional reconstructive imaging evaluation in the assessment of temporomandibular joint disc position

Objectives This pilot morphological study aimed to investigate the association between anterior disc displacement (ADD) and the status of the mandibular condyle and articular fossa. Materials and methods Thirty-four patients were divided into a normal articular disc position group and an ADD with and without reduction group. Images reconstructed were used to determine multiple group comparisons of these three different types of disc position, and the diagnostic efficacy for the morphological parameters with significant group difference was analyzed to assess. Results The condylar volume (CV), condylar superficial area (CSA), superior joint space (SJS), and medial joint space (MJS) all exhibited obvious changes ( P < 0.05). Additionally, they all had a reliable diagnostic accuracy in differentiating between normal disc position and ADD with an AUC value from 0.723 to 0.858. Among them, the CV, SJS, and MJS ( P < 0.05) had a significantly positive impact on the groups by analysis of multivariate logistic ordinal regression model. Conclusions The CV, CSA, SJS, and MJS are significantly associated with different disc displacement types. The condyle in ADD exhibited altered dimensions. These could be promising biometric markers for assessing ADD. Clinical relevance The morphological changes of mandibular condyle and glenoid fossa were significantly influenced by the status of disc displacement, and condyles with disc displacement had three-dimensionally altered condylar dimensions, irrespective of age and sex.