Three-dimensional reconstruction of the temporomandibular joint using CT images with a new device

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

The aim of this study was to establish the method for analyzing the three-dimensional condylar position using a reconstruction method of the temporomandibular joint.We developed a new device (CT-device) to match a three-dimensional reconstruction of the condyle with a plane of occlusion. Three-dimension reconstructions of the temporomandibular joint osseous components in normal subjects were made from the corrected axial CT images at maximum intercuspation. A condyle image and a fossa image were composed of approximately 8000 points and approximately 15000 points respectively. The three-dimensional condylar position was evaluated with the distribution of the distance between the mandibular fossa and the mandibular condyle at 1mm intervals for a distance of 0-5mm.The distribution areas of all distances were superimposed on the reconstruction of the mandibular condyle in the visual images. The distribution of all distances indicated that the mandibular condyles are located centrally in mandibular fossas at both sides.It is concluded that our new evaluation method of the three-dimensional condylar position using the reconstruction method of temporomandibular joint is useful to examine functional condylar position clinically.