Effects of cleft lip and palate on temporomandibular joint components: a CBCT study

Abstract

Introduction: To assess the effects of cleft lip and palate (CLP) on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) components using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methodology: This historical cohort study evaluated 20 CBCT scans of the TMJ area of patients with unilateral CLP as the test group and 20 CBCT scans of the TMJ area of non-CLP controls with class I occlusion. The morphological properties and dimensions of the condyle, the thickness of the glenoid fossa and articular eminence, and the articular eminence angle were measured and recorded. The two groups were compared regarding the above-mentioned variables by the Chi-square or t test (alpha=0.05). Results: The left and right axial condylar angles in CLP patients were significantly lower than the corresponding values in the control group by 1.8 degrees in the left and 2 degrees in the right side (p=0.005). The mediolateral condylar dimension at both sides was significantly lower in CLP patients than in the controls (p=0.001). The differences between the two groups were not significant in the anteroposterior condylar dimension, glenoid fossa thickness, and articular eminence thickness (p>0.05). The CLP patients had significantly lower articular eminence angle in the right side (p=0.016) but not in the left side (p>0.05), compared with the controls. Conclusion: Unilateral CLP patients have lower axial condylar angle and mediolateral condylar dimension at both sides, and lower articular eminence angle in the right side than the controls.