OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare condyle shape between lateral temporomandibular joint (TMJ) images from axially corrected tomography and 3 panoramic radiography units with TMJ-specific programs. STUDY DESIGN: The TMJ from a single dry human skull was imaged with multidirectional tomography and the following 3 panoramic radiography units: Instrumentarium OP 100, Planmeca PM 2002 CC Proline, and Soredex Orthophos DS. A curve-fitting procedure (spline curves) was used to mathematically describe condyle outlines. One sample t tests were used to compare panoramic images against the tomograms (gold standard). RESULTS: A significant difference (P < .05) in condyle shape was found between TMJ tomography images and each of the 3 panoramic images. Images from the PM 2002 CC Proline demonstrated the smallest shape difference (13.4%), followed by the OP 100 (17.5%) and the Orthophos DS (24.8%). CONCLUSION: If panoramic radiography is to be used for the initial radiographic examination of the TMJ, practitioners should be aware of the potential for shape distortion of the condyle.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare condyle shape between lateral temporomandibular joint (TMJ) images from axially corrected tomography and 3 panoramic radiography units with TMJ-specific programs. STUDY DESIGN: The TMJ from a single dry human skull was imaged with multidirectional tomography and the following 3 panoramic radiography units: Instrumentarium OP 100, Planmeca PM 2002 CC Proline, and Soredex Orthophos DS. A curve-fitting procedure (spline curves) was used to mathematically describe condyle outlines. One sample t tests were used to compare panoramic images against the tomograms (gold standard). RESULTS: A significant difference (P < .05) in condyle shape was found between TMJ tomography images and each of the 3 panoramic images. Images from the PM 2002 CC Proline demonstrated the smallest shape difference (13.4%), followed by the OP 100 (17.5%) and the Orthophos DS (24.8%). CONCLUSION: If panoramic radiography is to be used for the initial radiographic examination of the TMJ, practitioners should be aware of the potential for shape distortion of the condyle.