Development of a diagnostic system for assessing functional disorders of the temporomandibular joint

Introduction. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction (TMD) is one of the most common and clinically significant pathologies in the maxillofacial region, characterized by a polymorphism of symptoms, variability in clinical course, and complexity of objective diagnosis. The high prevalence of TMD, its association with occlusal disturbances, muscle hypertonus, and postural imbalance, as well as contradictory data on the correlation between structural and functional changes, necessitate the search for reproducible and non-invasive methods for the functional assessment of the joint. The aim of the development is to create an automated acoustic-kinematic system for the objective recording of TMJ clicking phenomena and synchronous measurement of the intermaxillary distance at the moment of their occurrence. Materials and methods. The methodology is based on the use of highly sensitive acoustic vibration sensors and a digital analyzer, enabling real-time recording of mandibular movement parameters and joint sound characteristics, followed by computer processing and database formation. Results. The study demonstrated that the proposed approach ensures high measurement reproducibility, reduces the subjectivity of clinical assessment, and can be considered a promising complementary method for the functional diagnosis of TMD, augmenting traditional radiographic and clinical methods. Conclusions. The obtained results confirm the feasibility of further prospective studies to validate acoustic markers and to integrate digital technologies into the personalized diagnosis and treatment monitoring of patients with temporomandibular joint dysfunction.