Abstract
Objectives: Using reconstructed three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) models, the purpose of this study was to analyze and compare mandibular condyle morphology in patients with and without temporomandibular disorder (TMD). Study Design: Thirty-two patients were divided into two groups: the first comprised those with TMD (n=18), and the second those who did not have TMD (n=14). A CT of each patient was obtained and reconstructed as a 3D model. The 64 resulting 3D condylar models were evaluated for possible TMD-associated length, width and height asymmetries of the condylar process. Descriptive statistics were used to assess the results and student’s t tests applied to compare the two groups. Results: Statistically significant (p<0.05) vertical, mediolateral and sagittal asymmetries of the condylar process were observed between TMD and non-TMD groups. TMD patients showed less condylar height (p<0.05) in comparison with their asymptomatic counterparts. Conclusions: Using 3D-CT, it was shown that condylar width, height and length asymmetries were a common feature of TMD. Key words:Condilar asymmetry, 3D-computed tomography, X-ray diagnosis , maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics.
Highlights
Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) constitute one of the most frequent causes of non-dental pain in the orofacial region
Condylar asymmetry leads to greater muscle hyperactivity, which can overload the surface of the joint [3] and, in turn, affect the soft and hard tissue component [13]
3D-Computed tomography (CT) Condylar asymmetry ages, several researchers have investigated the relationship between condylar asymmetry and TMD [7,8,9, 19]
Summary
Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) constitute one of the most frequent causes of non-dental pain in the orofacial region. Many studies have tried to relate TMD to structural factors in the anatomy of this joint [5]. Habets [5] introduced a method for determining asymmetry between the mandibular condyles, which was based on comparing the vertical heights of the right and left mandibular condyles and the rami. He found that asymmetry of mandibular height correlated significantly for patients with TMJ disorders, compared to those without them. Computed tomography (CT) imaging has become an alternative to conventional radiographic methods, because it facilitates a high quality image without superimposition, as well as a 3D reconstruction and analysis of the joints for determining the actual dimensions of the structures [10]. There have been no similar studies carried out with these purposes and characteristics
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