Routine roentgenograms of 601 cases of temporomandibular joint arthrosis were reviewed. The morphological changes of condylar head and articular eminence were analized and discussed from roentgenodiagnostic point of view. As the abnormal roentgenographic images, eburnation, sclerosis, bone erosion, concavity, deformity, flattening, marginal proliferation, loss of bone density and calcified body were chosen and then, the definitions of them were given by a preliminary study.
The frequency of coincidence between the site of complaints and the site, at which the abnormal images could be detected, were examined.
Abnormal roentgenographic findings were revealed in 295 out of 601 cases (49.0%) of TMJ arthrosis. The site with abmormal findings coincided with the site of complaints in 254 of 295 cases (86.1%). Bone erosion, deformity, marginal proliferation and eburnation were selected from many abnormal images as the roentgenodiagnostic criteria of TMJ arthro-tic lesion.
Erosion was the most predominant findings and it is important for the diagnosis of TMJ arthrosis. Eburnation and sclerosis could be found more often in third and fourth decades. No tendency was found so far for the differential diagnosis between pain dysfunc-tion syndrom and osteoarthrosis of TMJ. However, it was suggested, that the interpretation of morphological changes of TMJ is meaningful for the TMJ disorders and that the roentgenographical method should be selected in accordance with the purpose.