Radiologic and Anatomic Evaluation of the Temporomandibular Joint in Individuals With and Without Temporomandibular Dysfunction

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between palate morphology, masticatory muscle thickness, choanae structure, and sphenoidale foramina in individuals with temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD), and to determine how variations in these parameters affect temporomandibular joint (TMJ) function. Methods: Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans of 36 individuals with TMD and 36 healthy controls, aged 18 to 69 years, were retrospectively analyzed. The possible relationships between TMD and the morphometry of the hard palate, nasi choanae, and sphenoidale foramina were evaluated, and thickness measurements of the masticatory muscles (masseter, temporalis, lateral, and medial pterygoideus) were also correlated with TMD. Results: Significant relationships were found between TMD and the morphometric features of the craniofacial structures. Statistically significant relationships were found between age and the masseter, temporalis, and medial pterygoid muscle thicknesses in individuals who had TMD ( P <0.05). In addition, a significant difference was observed in the hard palate transverse width according to gender in the TMD group ( P <0.05). In the control group, a significant relationship was found between medial pterygoid thickness on both sides and left foramen ovale length and hard palate transverse width values depending on gender ( P <0.05). Significant differences were found in foramen rotundum width measurements in the comparison of the TMD and control groups ( P <0.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrates the relationship between craniofacial morphology, masticatory muscle thickness, and TMD. The findings suggest that anatomic features of the hard palate and sphenoid region may contribute to TMJ function and deepen the understanding of TMD’s structural basis.