Sagittal joint spaces of the temporomandibular joint: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

AbstractThe aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis on the sagittal joint spaces measurements of the temporomandibular joint. An electronic database search was performed with the terms “condylar position”; “joint space” AND “TMJ”. The risk of bias of each study was assessed with “Cochrane risk of bias tool”. The values used in the meta-analysis were the joint space measurements and their differences between the right and left joint.From the initial search 2706 articles were retrieved. Eighteen articles classified for final review. Only one study was classified as having high level of evidence. Seventeen of the reviewed studies were included in the meta-analysis concluding that the mean sagittal joint space values were: anterior joint space 1.86mm, superior 2.36mm and posterior 2.22mm. However, the analysis also showed high levels of heterogeneity. Right and left comparison has shown statistically significant differences