The effects of temporomandibular disorders on superior semicircular canal morphology

OpenAlex İngilizce

Purpose: Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are the comprehensive conditions that affect the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), masticatory muscles, and/or associated structures. Superior semicircular canal (SSC) dehiscence has been associated with TMJ symptoms. This study aimed to assess the bone thickness and radio-morphological types of the superior semicircular canal which is anatomically adjacent to TMJ region in TMD patients compared to a matched-control group using cone-beam computed tomography images. Materials and Methods: Fifty-six TMD patients and 56 gender and age-matched healthy controls who fulfilled diagnostic criteria for TMD Axis I were included to the study. Minimum bone thickness of SSC was measured. Morpho-radiological types of SSC were classified as dehiscence, papyraceous, normal, thick and pneumatised. The relationships between SSC types and age groups/gender were examined. Results: The TMD group (0.90.8 mm) exhibited significantly lower bone thickness of SSC than the control group (1.51.1 mm). SSC types varied significantly between the groups, with a higher prevalence of dehiscence (23.2% and 8%, respectively) and papyraceous types (21.4% and 8.9%, respectively) and a lower prevalence of the normal type (40.2% and 64.3%, respectively) in the TMD group compared to the control group Conclusion: This study suggests that TMD may lead to changes in the SSC morphology, particularly predisposing to dehiscence and papyraceous types. Understanding these associations could contribute to improve the diagnosis and management of TMD patients.