Dynamic automated assessment of functionally limited temporomandibular disorders using motion analysis

Objective This study investigated a method for assessing movement patterns in patients with functionally limited temporomandibular disorders using minimal equipment. The aim was to enable clinicians to better understand temporomandibular joint function, support treatment decision-making, and provide data for documenting disease progression. Methods This retrospective, observational study included 45 patients with functionally limited temporomandibular disorders (Group A) and 40 healthy volunteers (Group B). Video data of temporomandibular joint movements were recorded. Measurements, including maximum mouth opening distance, maximum offset distance, maximum offset angle, direction of offset, and fluctuation graphs of offset angle and distance, were obtained using manual methods and an automatic measurement program. The results were statistically analyzed. Results Statistically significant differences were observed between patients and the control group in the manually measured mouth opening distance and offset distance, as well as in the automatically measured offset distance and offset angle. Conclusion Automated testing methods can effectively assess the motor function of functionally limited temporomandibular joints, providing more objective, data-driven, and graphical testing indexes. Further research is warranted to explore their practical significance.