X-ray diagnostics diseases of the temporomandibular joints

TMJ diseases, the occurrence of which can be caused by numerous factors, are a common pathology among the population. The purpose of the study was to research the characteristics of x-ray manifestations and the informativeness of x-ray techniques in the x-ray diagnosis of TMJ diseases. 645 X-ray images of 344 patients aged 18 to 65 years were analyzed. It has been established that the X-ray picture of most TMJ diseases is characterized by the presence of functional changes or a combination of functional and organic manifestations. The most common pathology is dysfunctional disorders of the TMJ. It was concluded that the primary X-ray diagnosis of TMJ diseases is advisable to carry out using orthopantomographs, which allow examining the TMJ in the lateral projection according to a special program with the patient’s mouth open and closed. The use of computed tomography makes it possible to identify not only functional abnormalities, but also early manifestations of organic changes in the bone elements of the TMJ on a series of tomographic sections in different planes.