Dental clinical application using 4-dimensional jaw motion analysis for temporomandibular disorders

In order to create a 4-D model of the human body, we have added the movement data to the 3D image data (CT and MRI) In this manuscript, we will describe how this technique was applied to mandibular movement. The specific aim of this study was to investigate the possible clinical applications of the 4-D mandibular movements system. This study was conducted with 28 patients with temporomandibular disorders (7 male, 21 female). All patients were examined at the second prothodontic clinic of Tsurumi University. The trial period was from April 2005 to August 2005. After the initial clinical examination, all patients underwent and MRI. In the cases where an MRI was insufficient, either a CT (8) or a Jaw Motion Test was administered (11). In the eight cases where either of these latter diagnostic tests proved less than conclusive, the 4-D test was then carried out. The 4-D analysis contributed to diagnosis (two cases) and planning operative procedure (four cases). Based on these results, we determined that the 4-D analysis system allows a more accurate diagnosis and treatment plan for TMJ diseases than CT, MRI, or Jaw Motion tests would on their own.