Association between the morphology and thickness of bony components of the temporomandibular joint and gender, age and remaining teeth on cone-beam CT images

Various factors such as aging, sex hormones and the distribution pattern of occlusal forces affect the morphology and osseous components of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Recognition of the effects of these factors on the anatomy of the area results in the differentiation of normal variations from abnormal cases.The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between the condyle and other hard components of TMJ, and age, gender and the number of remaining teeth.In the present descriptive-analytical study, a total of 145 cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images were evaluated. The condyle morphology, the thickness of the glenoid fossa roof, and the height and slope of the eminence were evaluated.There were significant differences between the right and left sides only in terms of the height of the articular eminence (p = 0.008 and p ≤ 0.001 on the right and left side, respectively). There were significant differences between both sides in the slope of articular eminence depending on the number of teeth (p = 0.01 and p = 0.008 on the right and left side, respectively). The height of the articular eminence on the left side differed significantly depending on age (p = 0.005) and the number of remaining teeth (p = 0.02). There were no significant differences in any other cases.No significant relationship was found between the thickness of the glenoid fossa roof and the articular eminence, and the condyle morphology in all 3 cross-sections regarding gender, age and the number of remaining teeth.