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A retrospective study on the relationship between aging and tomographic findings in 174 patients with TMD

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine age-related changes in the tomographic characteristics of the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) of patients with temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD). 174 patietns with TMD from 12–76 years old were divided into six groups by age. Bilateral TMJs of the patients were examined by TMJ tomography, and 91 joints were also performed with arthrography. The frequencies of abnormal condylar shape and osseous changes (including osteosclerosis, flattening, bone erosion and osteophytes) increased with age (P<0.01), less osseous changes were observed in the younger patients (<30 years) with anterior disk displacement with reduction than in the older ones (≥30 years) (P<0.05). No statistically significant difference in the frequency of condylar displacement was found among the groups. It was concluded that the frequencies of abnormal condylar shape and some osseous changes might increase with aging, which might be due to remodeling in TMJ and low adaptive ability of the TMJs in elderly people.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Temporomandibular Dysfunction Clinic Stomatological College, Fourth Military Medical University, No. 1 Kangfu Road, 710032, Shaanxi Province, Xi'an, China

    Xiaohong Duan D.D.S., Huiyun Wang D.D.S. & Meiqing Wang D.D.S.

  2. Department of Oral Biology, Stomatological College, Fourth Military Medical University, No. 1 Kangfu Road, 710032, Shaanxi Province, Xi'an, China

    Junzheng Wu D.D.S.

  3. Department of Prosthodontics, Stomatological College, Fourth Military Medical University, No. 1 Kangfu Road, 710032, Shaanxi Province, Xi'an, China

    Yong Mao M.D.

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  1. Xiaohong Duan D.D.S.
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Duan, X., Wu, J., Mao, Y. et al. A retrospective study on the relationship between aging and tomographic findings in 174 patients with TMD. Oral Radiol. 15, 9–17 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02489752

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02489752

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