Confirming the diagnosis of temporomandibular joint disorder by magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to define the temporomandibular joint complaints of patients with different genders and educational levels and to investigate the accuracy of these complaints with the diagnosis of temporomandibular joint disorder (TJD) with magnetic resonance imaging (MRII).

Material and Methods: Temporomandibular joint MRI and clinical examination findings and panoramic radiographs of 99 patients over 18 years of age who applied to the dental clinic between 2011-2018 with the complaint of jaw pain and limited mouth opening are evaluated. The cases which TJD was determined as a result of MRI, are accepted as MRI (+). The ones with the complaints of TJD, but the joint was within normal limits in the MRI, MRI is recorded as (-).

Results: There is significant correlation between MRI results and gender but no correlation between MRI results and tooth loss. It is found education level did not have significant effect on the described joint complaints and MRI (+) findings.

Conclusion: Women describe temporomandibular joint problems better than men. Even if the level of education is high, patients may not be able to convey their complaints correctly to the physician. Clinical findings should be supported by MRI results in order to diagnose this disease.