Movement of disc and condyle in temporomandibular joints with and without clicking:A high-speed cinematographic and dissection study on autopsy specimens

Abstract

High-speed cinematography using 250 frames/s and 500 frames/s was performed on five temporomandibular joint (TMJ) autopsy specimens with clicking, and four without. The joint compartments were visualized by removal of the lateral part of the capsule and disc. In joints without clicking, even and smooth movement of condyle and disc was observed. In joints with clicking the rapid movement of disc and condyle in association with clicking was delineated. In four joints with reciprocal clicking, the clicking was registered at the instant the condyle hit the temporal component after having slipped over the posterior ridge of the disc. In the fifth joint with clicking, movement between condyle and disc was coordinated in association with clicking. At dissection all joints demonstrated deviation in form of both the temporal and mandibular components.