The recognition of craniomandibular disorders--a comparison between clinical, tomographical, and dental panoramic radiographical findings in thirty-one subjects.

A comparison between clinical, tomographical, and dental panoramic radiographical findings was made in thirty-one female patients suffering from craniomandibular disorders (CMD). In general it was found that condylar sclerosis was more common in these patients than in earlier studies. After clinical separation of the material into two groups based upon the origin of pain, myogenous versus arthrogenous, no radiographical confirmation of the differential diagnostics could be made. Regarding vertical condylar asymmetry measured on the Orthopantomogram, it was found that 74% of the patients with CMD had more than the 3% of asymmetry regarded as within normal limits. It seems that with an increasing severity of the disorder the level of condylar asymmetry appears less. If the interpretation of the findings is correct its conclusion might lead to the recognition of a morphological factor which could contribute to the development of a craniomandibular disorder.