THE AIM OF THE STUDY

Was determination of TMJ anatomical and functional parameters in patients without clinical manifestations of TMJ dysfunction and analysis of possible relationships between them.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

TMJ anatomical parameters of 25 volunteers (22—27 years old) without TMJ dysfunction, malocclusion and more than one tooth adentia were determined on CT scans and lab teeth scans: inclination of the distal slopes of the articular eminence (DS AE), height and width of the condyles, height of AE, inclination of the longitudinal axes of the condyles; as well as functional parameters of LJ movements: horizontal condylar inclination (HCI) during protrusion and laterotrusion, lateral condylar inclination during protrusion and laterotrusion, immediate side shift, incisor and canine guidance, and correlations between them were evaluated.

RESULTS

The majority of the TMJ anatomical parameters are almost equal by mean values on the right and left sides. The main TMJ functional parameters on the right and left sides also have similar values but much higher variability, asymmetry and unpredictability. The existing anatomical asymmetry of the DS AE is compensated by articular discs, which makes HCI more symmetrical.

CONCLUSION

Protrusion movements have a higher probability of reproduction by mechanical articulators while laterotrusion movements have a very low probability. The existence of relationship between the inclination of DS AE and HCI, between HCI and the incisor guidance, between the inclination of DS AE and the incisor guidance is questionable. The conducted research proves the weakness or complete absence of correlation between them.