The role of CT scan in diagnosis of TMJ ankylosis: report of case.

Computed tomography was found to be useful in identifying complete, unilateral, fibro-osseous ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint in a case of mandibular hypomobility. The scan had increased sensitivity and reliability in studying hard and soft tissues of the TMJ and gave the patient less radiation exposure than conventional tomography or arthrotomography. The current report incorporates the CT scan into a radiographic protocol for the diagnosis of mandibular hypomobility and identifies situations in which conventional tomography can be omitted.