Thermographic Characterization of the Asymptomatic Temporomandibular Joint

This study used electronic thermography, an alternative diagnostic imaging modality, to assess the thermal image characteristics of the normal TMJ in 30 asymptomatic subjects. Assessments made included: thermal pattern recognition and symmetry, absolute temperature measurements and differences in absolute temperature measurements, and mean temperature measurements and differences in five anatomic zones. Results indicated the presence of a common thermal TMJ pattern in two thirds of patients, with variations from this pattern in the remaining patients. All TMJ thermal patterns demonstrated marked thermal symmetry, with delta T < 0.2 degrees C in the region of the TMJ and related regions of the face. This consistent symmetry demonstrated in normal subjects suggests that substantial thermal asymmetry may prove to be a reliable indicator of TMJ disease.