Publication: Assessment of mandibular condylar head morphology in degenerative temporomandibular joint disorders among bangladeshi subpopulation using cone beam computed tomography
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Date
2026-01
Authors
Amin, Md Nur Al
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Abstract
Degenerative temporomandibular joint disorders are commonly characterised by osseous deterioration of the mandibular condyle. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) has become a valuable modality for detecting bony changes that are often underestimated on conventional radiographs. Despite growing global research, data on the condylar bony changes in the Bangladeshi population remain limited. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, morphometric consequences, and demographic relationship of degenerative bony changes in the mandibular condyle of a Bangladeshi cohort using CBCT. A total of 224 CBCT scans of temporomandibular joints from 56 symptomatic cases and 56 asymptomatic controls were included based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria to assess the presence or absence of degenerative changes, such as erosion, flattening, osteophytes, subchondral sclerosis, and subcortical pseudocysts. Morphometric parameters like condylar volume, length, width, and height were measured and compared between the case and control groups. The relationship of degenerative changes and morphometric alterations with age, gender, and laterality was explored. Statistical analyses, including Chi-square, t-tests, Mann-Whitney U, McNemar’s, paired t-tests, Spearman’s correlation, and one-sample Z-tests, were performed to determine the level of significance of differences and associations across groups and variables. Symptomatic condyles showed significantly greater degenerative changes (p<0.01), with erosion being the most prevalent (84.8%),
often co-occurring with flattening. These changes were linked to notable reductions in condylar width, height (both p<0.05), and volume (p<0.01). Subcortical pseudocyst was positively correlated with age (p<0.05), osteophytes were more frequent in males (p<0.01), and sclerosis was more common on the left side (p<0.05). Male participants exhibited significant decreases in condylar length, height (p<0.05), and volume (p<0.01), while females showed a marked reduction only in condylar volume (p<0.01). None but the condylar volume significantly decreased on both sides when comparing laterality. In radiographically healthy controls, males consistently had larger condylar dimensions than females. Degenerative bony changes are either symptomatic or asymptomatic, but are more noticeable in symptomatic individuals. Erosion is more apparent across all participants. Young adults are more susceptible to degenerative temporomandibular disorder. The morphometric consequence of degeneration is a reduction in the size of the condylar head, where volume is a consistent marker for assessment. Degenerative changes and morphometric alterations exhibit a varied demographic relationship.