The present study’s aim was to develop a valid and reliable method for the qualitative analysis of the radiographic appearance of the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) captured by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). The developed method is more comprehensive for TMJ bony changes and is standardised and simple.
Method:
The developed method, based on a study by Koyama et al (2007), used 5 assessors who independently performed qualitative analyses of forty-two randomly selected de-identified CBCT images. Statistical analyses were performed to assess the inter-examiner variability.
Result:
Normal TMJ anatomy was observed in 3 of the 42 study subjects whereas a range of bony defects with various levels of severity was observed in the remainder. There were statistically significant (p < 0.05) correlations between all assessors in interpreting the radiographical appearance utilizing the developed method.
Conclusion:
The method developed in the current study for the interpretation of CBCT images of TMJ is capable of the generating consistent, valid and reliable qualitative data on the bony changes of the TMJ.