Association between Condylar Bone Changes and Eichner Index in Patients with Temporomandibular Dysfunction: A Cone Beam Computed Tomography Study

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM: Eichner index is a dental index, which is based on the occlusal contacts between naturally existing teeth in premolar and molar regions. One controversial topic is the association between occlusal status and temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) and its associated degenerative bony changes. PURPOSE: Through the use of cone-beam computer tomography (CBCT), the current study sought to ascertain the relationship between the Eichner index and condylar bone alterations in TMD patients. MATERIALS AND METHOD: In this retrospective study, the CBCT images of bilateral temporomandibular joints (TMJs) of 107 patients with TMD were evaluated. The patients’ dentition was classified into three groups of A (71%), B (18.7%), and C (10.3%), according to the Eichner index. Radiographic indicators of condylar bone alterations, including as flattening, erosion, osteophytes, marginal sclerosis, subchondral sclerosis, and joint mice, were either present or absent and registered as 1 or 0, respectively. Chi-square test was used to evaluate the link between the condylar bony changes and the Eichner groups. RESULTS: According to the Eichner index, the most prevalent group was group “A”. The most prevalent radiographic finding was “flattening of the condyles” (58%). Condylar bony changes were found to be statistically related to age (p= 0.00). However, no significant relationship was found between sex and condylar bony changes (p= 0.80). There was a significant relationship between the Eichner index and condylar bony changes (p= 0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients with greater loss of tooth supporting zones have more condylar bony changes.