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Anatomical changes in the structure of the temporomandibular joint caused by complete edentulousness.

BACKGROUND
The posterior slope of the articular eminence of completely edentulous patients compared to patients with maintained occlusion shows significant flattening.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this present study was to reveal a possible correlation between edentulousness and the flattening of the eminence and to find out whether this deformation is connected to age.


MATERIAL AND METHODS
Thirty patients were examined in three groups, each consisting of 10 persons (group I: 18- to 25-year-old patients with maintained occlusion, group II: patients over 60 with maintained occlusion, group III: edentulous patients over 60). The three groups were compared according to dental status, age, sex and side. Measurements were carried out on orthopantomographic images taken with Kodak 8000 Digital Panoramic System. The angle of the posterior slope of the articular eminence relative to the Frankfort plane was measured on both sides. Data were analysed statistically with the one-way anova test (α = 0.05).


RESULTS
The highest values were measured in group I (right side: 39.8 ± 5.4°, left side: 43.0 ± 5.9°), values were somewhat lower in group II (right side: 38.9 ± 4.7°, left side: 39.5 ± 7.4°) and were the lowest in group III, which was significantly lower on both sides than the results of group I and group II (right side: 29.8 ± 6.0°, left side: 31.9 ± 5.2°, p < 0.01). The correlation coefficient between age and the flattening of the eminence in group I, II and III was 0.23, 0.35 and 0.92, respectively.


CONCLUSION
The flattening of the articular eminence could be correlated with age; however, the rate of deformation is significantly higher in completely edentulous patients than in patients with maintained occlusion.