Vibration Analysis of the Temporomandibular Joints with Degenerative Joint Disease

ABSTRACT

The surface vibrations of 42 temporomandibular joints (TMJ) with degenerative joint disease (DJD) and/or perforation of the disk were evaluated using electrovibratography and compared to the surface vibrations of 83 joints with normal TMJ imagings and 61 joints with meniscal displacement without reduction. Through the frequency spectrum analysis, TMJs with DJD showed higher vibration energy above 350–450 Hz and TMJs with perforation showed higher vibration energy between 100–150 and 300–450 Hz. The presence of perforation did not seem to affect the characteristic of vibrations when TMJs were associated with DJD. A threshold was set for the total vibration energy as described in our previous report and used as a parameter in order to separate patients with internal derangement from a pool of TMJ dysfunction patients (diagnostic specificity = 75%, diagnostic sensitivity = 80.2%). Using this criteria, the following were correctly identified as internal derangement and/or DJD: a) 100% of the TMJs with meniscal displacement without reduction associated with DJD; b) 87.0% of the TMJs with meniscal displacement without reduction associated with perforation; c) 88.9% of the TMJs with meniscal displacement without reduction associated with DJD and perforation; and d) 100% of the TMJs with perforation.

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Notes on contributors

Shoichi Ishigaki

Dr. Shoichi Ishigaki received his D.D.S. degree from the Osaka University Faculty of Dentistry, Osaka, Japan, in 1984 and his Ph.D. degree from Osaka University in 1988. He is a research and clinical associate and a lecturer for the Department of Fixed Prosthodontics at Osaka University. Dr. Ishigaki is a member of the International College of Prosthodontists, the Japan Prosthodontic Society, the Japanese Society for Temporomandibular Joint, the Japanese Society of Stomatognathic Function, the Japanese Association for Dental Science and the Osaka University Dental Society. He has been conducting joint researches among the Osaka University Faculty of Dentistry, the State University of New York at Buffalo and the Head and Neck Center at the Sisters of Charity Hospital since 1991.

Russell W. Bessette

Dr. Russell W. Bessette received his D.D.S. degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1969 and his M.D. degree from the same university in 1976. He also completed training in general surgery and plastic surgery in 1981. He is a Board Certified plastic surgeon and a clinical associate professor in the Department of Surgery (Plastic Surgery), School of Medicine and Department of Stomatology, School of Dentistry. He is a fellow in the American College of Surgeons and a founding member of the American Society of Temporomandibular Joint Surgeons.

Takao Maruyama

Dr. Takao Maruyama received his D.D.S. degree from the Osaka University Faculty of Dentistry, Osaka, Japan, in 1964, and his Ph.D. degree from Osaka University in 1968. He is a professor and chairman of the Department of Fixed Prosthodontics. He is also a visiting professor at the Kyushu University Faculty of Dentistry, the Iwate Medical University Faculty of Dentistry and the University of Southern California School of Dentistry. He is a member of the International Association for Dental Research, the American Equilibration Society, the International College of Prosthodontists, the Asian Academy of Aesthetic Dentistry and the International Journal of Prosthodontics.