Evaluation of Disc Position in Patients with Temporomandibular Joint Clicking Using MRI

Internal derangements of temporomandibular joint are the most common type of joint disorders after muscle disorders and include all disorders related to incompatibility and dislocation of disc and condyle. The purpose of this study was to evaluate disc position in patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) clicking referring to occlusion unit of Mashhad dental school using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as the gold standard. Sixty-eight joints in 34 patients diagnosed with TMJ clicking were studied using MRI. Sagital MR images were obtained with 0. 5 Tesla magnetic resonance system in the open and closed mouth position to evaluate disc position in relation to the fossa. The data were analyzed using Chi-square and Fisher’s Exact tests. Disc displacements (DDs) were observed in 54. 4% of the TMJs analysed. Joints with intermediate and late clicking showed more DDs. Anterior DDs were observed in 41. 2% of the joints. The amount of DD in joints with clicking sound was significantly higher than that of those without clicking. We found that the presence of clicking sound in the clinical examination could not always predict DD. Thus، MRI presents as the gold standard for the detection of DD.