Assessment of temporomandibular joint disease by panoramic radiography: reliability and validity in relation to tomography.

Abstract

Evaluation of bony changes on the condyles has acceptable reliability and specificity but low sensitivity, whereas the temporal component has low reliability and accuracy. Positive findings often correspond to disease while negative findings do not exclude it. If bony abnormality is suspected in the TMJ, and the panoramic radiograph is negative, tomography may be indicated.