Application of the Bi-Digital O-Ring Test Imaging Method in the Diagnosis of Temporomandibular Joint (IV)

Abstract

[Purpose]

Recently, the number of patients suffering from temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) are increasing. In diagnosis of TMD, it is important to investigate the organic and potential changes of temporomandibular joint (TMJ). In 1993, Prof. Omura, Y. of New York, for the first time, suceeded in mapping of the outline of normal and abnormal TMJ including Fossa, Disc and Condyle on the surface of face using Bi-Digital O-Ring Test resonance phenomenon, while mouth is opened and closed. We made an experiment on Bi-Digital ORing Test (ORT) Imaging method originally developed by Prof. Omura, Y. for diagnosis of TMD patients.

[Method]

We carried out ORT imaging method on TMJ region of TMD patients, and traced images of fossa, disc and condyle on face. These examinations performed on closed and widely open mouth positions. We also carried out Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) on the same patients, as MRI is generally considered to be the most valuable diagnostic method on TMD.

[Results]

We made comparative studies with images gained from two methods. The images of bone tissues (fossa and condyle) were clearly and we could recognize organic and positional changes. The images of discs which produced by Imaging method, were less clear than those of MRI partly due to our limited technical skill. Some of them we could not compare about organic changes, but on these we were able to observe positional changes.

[Conclusions]

From this research we think that BDORT Imaging method is helpful in the examination of TMD patients.