The relationship between temporomandibular joint-space asymmetry and craniovertebral position in unilateral temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis: A cone-beam computed tomography study
Cranio - Journal of Craniomandibular and Sleep Practice, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1080/08869634.2026.2733452
- Dergi Adı: Cranio - Journal of Craniomandibular and Sleep Practice
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: asymmetry, cone-beam computed tomography, craniovertebral junction, joint space, osteoarthritis, Temporomandibular joint
- Yozgat Bozok Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Objective: This retrospective cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) study examined whether temporomandibular joint (TMJ) space asymmetry is associated with upper cervical (C0–C1–C2) position in unilateral TMJ osteoarthritis (TMJOA). Methods: Seventy-nine patients (40 controls without definite OA in either TMJ, 39 unilateral), classified using RDC/TMD criteria, had the joint spaces, a condylar ratio, and craniovertebral parameters measured and expressed as side-to-side and affected-versus-unaffected asymmetries. Results: Within the unilateral group, superior joint-space asymmetry correlated moderately with occipital condyle–atlas–axis (OCAA) asymmetry (ρ = 0.50, p =.001), surviving false-discovery-rate correction; the whole-sample correlation was weaker (ρ = 0.24). Conclusion: Superior joint-space asymmetry may represent an imaging correlate of craniovertebral position, not a diagnostic marker. These findings are preliminary and require replication; interpretation is limited by the retrospective design, an approximately six-year age difference between groups, and the absence of clinical or symptom data.