The Utilization of Contact Liquid Crystal Thermography in the Evaluation of Temporomandibular Dysfunction

Abstract

A previously diagnosed patient population of 109 volunteers having temporomandibular dysfunction agreed to undergo pretreatment and post-treatment thermographic examination. In 1988, at the time of this study, a contact liquid crystal thermographic unit was utilized in accordance with the protocol advocated by the Academy of Neuro-Muscular Thermography. The examination consisted of pretreatment and post-treatment thermograms repeated in a series of three sets, i.e., in triplicate, incorporating four different views per set, namely, frontal face, right lateral face, left lateral face, and posterior cervical. This study revealed that the application of contact liquid thermography in the evaluation of temporomandibular dysfunction was a reliable, valid, and efficacious diagnostic tool in approximately 95% of the cases. Resolution of thermographic asymmetry and/or decrease in Delta T was demonstrated in approximately 81% of the post-treatment population. Thermography also proved to be a reliable indicator of pretreatment duration of dysfunction (chronicity pattern) in approximately 78% of the cases.

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Pamela A. Steed

Dr. Pamela A. Steed received her D.D.S. degree from Indiana University School of Dentistry in 1983 and completed her thesis requirements for the M.S.D. in Oral Medicine/Dental Diagnostic Sciences which she received. She has staff privileges at three hospitals in the metro-Indianapolis area and holds membership in the Academy of Neuro-Muscular Thermography, The International College of Cranio-Mandibular Orthopedics, the American Academy of Functional Orthodontics, and the American Academy of Head. Facial and Neck Pain and TMJ Orthopedics.