TY - JOUR
T1 - Evaluation of Temporomandibular Joint Structures and Conditions Using Dental-Dedicated MRI
T2 - A Feasibility Study
AU - Liedke, Gabriela S.
AU - Christensen, Jennifer
AU - Spin-Neto, Rubens
PY - 2026/1
Y1 - 2026/1
N2 - Background: MRI is the most viable alternative to depict the soft tissues of the TMJ, and a recently developed dental-dedicated MRI (ddMRI) brings new possibilities to count on this technology at point-of-care. Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility of ddMRI for the assessment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) conditions and to compare the evaluation of bony components with that of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methods: CBCT and ddMRI images from 24 patients were independently assessed by three observers. Each TMJ side was evaluated for hard and soft tissue conditions (soft tissues assessed only with ddMRI), including flattening, cortical erosion, subcortical sclerosis, osteophyte, subcortical cyst, loose body, disc position, and joint fluid. Inter- and intra-examiner agreement and condition prevalence were calculated for each modality. Diagnoses of bone-related TMJ conditions were compared between imaging modalities using the McNemar test (α = 0.05). Results: The mean inter-observer agreement was 0.36 for ddMRI and 0.50 for CBCT; intra-observer agreement ranged from 0.444 to 1. The most prevalent finding was anterior disc displacement (58.3%). Bone conditions were more frequently identified on CBCT, with prevalence ranging from 2.1% (subcortical cyst) to 41.7% (flattening), compared to 0% and 31.3%, respectively, on ddMRI. In this feasibility study, no significant differences were found between CBCT and ddMRI for relevant hard tissue conditions (p > 0.05), supporting ddMRI's potential as an adjunct modality for TMJ assessment. Conclusion: ddMRI is a feasible imaging modality for TMJ evaluation, enabling assessment of bony and soft tissue components, while avoiding ionizing radiation, which supports its potential clinical applicability.
AB - Background: MRI is the most viable alternative to depict the soft tissues of the TMJ, and a recently developed dental-dedicated MRI (ddMRI) brings new possibilities to count on this technology at point-of-care. Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility of ddMRI for the assessment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) conditions and to compare the evaluation of bony components with that of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methods: CBCT and ddMRI images from 24 patients were independently assessed by three observers. Each TMJ side was evaluated for hard and soft tissue conditions (soft tissues assessed only with ddMRI), including flattening, cortical erosion, subcortical sclerosis, osteophyte, subcortical cyst, loose body, disc position, and joint fluid. Inter- and intra-examiner agreement and condition prevalence were calculated for each modality. Diagnoses of bone-related TMJ conditions were compared between imaging modalities using the McNemar test (α = 0.05). Results: The mean inter-observer agreement was 0.36 for ddMRI and 0.50 for CBCT; intra-observer agreement ranged from 0.444 to 1. The most prevalent finding was anterior disc displacement (58.3%). Bone conditions were more frequently identified on CBCT, with prevalence ranging from 2.1% (subcortical cyst) to 41.7% (flattening), compared to 0% and 31.3%, respectively, on ddMRI. In this feasibility study, no significant differences were found between CBCT and ddMRI for relevant hard tissue conditions (p > 0.05), supporting ddMRI's potential as an adjunct modality for TMJ assessment. Conclusion: ddMRI is a feasible imaging modality for TMJ evaluation, enabling assessment of bony and soft tissue components, while avoiding ionizing radiation, which supports its potential clinical applicability.
KW - cone-beam computed tomography
KW - diagnostic imaging
KW - feasibility study
KW - magnetic resonance imaging
KW - temporomandibular joint
KW - temporomandibular joint disorders
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105018326222
U2 - 10.1111/joor.70071
DO - 10.1111/joor.70071
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 41054386
AN - SCOPUS:105018326222
SN - 0305-182X
VL - 53
SP - 149
EP - 159
JO - Journal of Oral Rehabilitation
JF - Journal of Oral Rehabilitation
IS - 1
ER -