Flattening of the articular eminence is associated with the loss of occlusal support: radiological study

Z Oruba; P Malisz; J Sendek; V E Aardal; N Kopycińska; K Krzystyniak; D Darczuk; T Kaczmarzyk

doi:10.1111/adj.12736

Flattening of the articular eminence is associated with the loss of occlusal support: radiological study

Aust Dent J. 2020 Mar;65(1):53-57. doi: 10.1111/adj.12736. Epub 2019 Nov 28.

Authors

Z Oruba¹, P Malisz², J Sendek³, V E Aardal³, N Kopycińska³, K Krzystyniak³, D Darczuk¹, T Kaczmarzyk^{1

4}

Affiliations

¹ Chair of Periodontology and Clinical Oral Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland.
² Department of Electroradiology, Faculty of Health Science, Medical College, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland.
³ Student Research Group, Chair of Periodontology and Clinical Oral Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland.
⁴ Department of Oral Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland.

PMID: 31705654
DOI: 10.1111/adj.12736

Abstract

Background: Degenerative changes in the temporomandibular joint might be associated with ageing and/or with the loss of occlusal support.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate whether the inclination of the posterior slope of the articular eminence changes in association with: (i) ageing in patients with maintained occlusal support zones (OSZs); and (ii) the loss of OSZs in elders.

Methods: In this retrospective radiological study, selected orthopantomograms were allocated into the following groups: I-age 18-35, maintained OSZs, II-age 36-60, maintained OSZs, III-age >60, at least one OSZ per side maintained, IV-age >60, loss of all OSZs. The inclination of the articular eminence was measured relative to the Frankfort plane.

Results: The mean values of the inclination of the slope of the articular eminence amounted 34.05° ± 5.17°, 36.68° ± 5.65°, 34.86° ± 6.26° and 26.31° ± 5.12° for group I, II, III and IV respectively. There were no significant differences between the groups I to III. Group IV differed significantly from each of the previous groups.

Conclusions: Flattening of the articular eminence is associated with the loss of OSZs rather than ageing.

Keywords: Articular eminence; dental status; elders; occlusal support zones; temporomandibular joint.

MeSH terms

Aged
Humans
Radiography, Panoramic
Retrospective Studies
Temporomandibular Joint*