Diagnóstico de alterações funcionais e degenerativas da articulação temporomandibular pela associação do RDC/TMD e tomografia computadorizada de feixe cônico

Abstract

To diagnose degenerative changes in the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ), the recommendation is to perform imaging tests. However, clinically, the most prevalent signs and symptoms associated with this pathological condition, which could be fundamental for clinical diagnosis, still lack more comprehensive knowledge. Objective: Correlate the presence of degenerative changes in the TMJ observed by Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) with clinical signs and symptoms diagnosed by RDC/TMD. Type of study: cross-sectional observational exploratory study. Material and methods: After selecting 38 patients with degenerative changes in the TMJ visualized by CBCT, they underwent the RDC/TMD to validate the clinical diagnosis of TMD to seek to establish the relationship between the limitation of mandibular movements and the diagnosis of group III of the RDC. /TMD, as well as the presence of degenerative changes by CBCT and clinical signs and symptoms of joint degeneration. Results: The study revealed that 10.5% of participants experienced coarse crepitus. No statistically significant differences were found in mouth opening limitations (p=0.55) and in excursive movements of laterality (p=0.63) and protrusion (p=0.58). However, a significant association (p=0.08) was observed between sclerosis in the articular eminence and limited mouth opening. Conclusion: 89.5% of degenerative changes were clinically underdiagnosed by RDC/TMD. On the other hand, there was a positive association between the presence of joint symptoms and the number of correct clinical diagnoses obtained by the RDC/TMD. There was only a positive association between the presence of sclerosis in the region of the articular tubercle and limitation of mouth opening (p=0.08). Arthralgia was the most prevalent clinical diagnosis among individuals according to the use of the RDC/TMD. However, there is no significant correlation between the presence of this symptom and degenerative changes observed by CBCT.