Structural modifications of the mandibular condylar process as one of the sequels of traumatism in infancy

Abstract

Context: Mandible and condylar process fractures are well and plentifully described in dental bibliography with the exception of greenstick fractures of the condylar process, which are rarely included. Aims: To compare laminographies and DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) images of the mandibular condylar axis in patients that suffer blows to the chin with the same type of images of the mandibular condylar axis in patients with other pathologies that did not suffer blows to the chin. Settings and Design: A population of 55 patients who suffered blows in the chin was compared with a control population of 20 patients without historic reference of traumatism in that part of the mandible. The study included 28 Caucasian adult patients, 18 females and 10 males, age range from 22 to 43 years old and 27 Latin patients, 17 females and 10 males, age range from 22 to 43 years old. The control group included 12 Caucasian adult patients, seven females and five males, age range from 22 to 43 years old and eight Latin patients, five females and three males, age range from 22 to 43 years old. Materials and Methods: These patients were studied by images obtained by laminographies with the mouth open and in maximal occlusion and volumetric studies by DICOM method. DICOM is a standard for handling, storing, printing, and transmitting information in medical imaging. It includes a file format definition and a network communications protocol. The communication protocol is an application protocol that uses transmission control protocol (TCP)/internet protocol suite (IP) to communicate between systems. TCP is one of the core protocols of the IP and is so common that the entire suite is often called TCP/IP . Statistical Analysis Used: Student's t -test. Results: This deflection of the condylar axis was not observed in patients with other pathologies that did not suffer blows to the chin region. Conclusions: These fractures provoke deformation of the mandibular condyle, which in turn creates a morphofunctional dysfunction of the Temporomandibular joint (TMJ). It is important to know that this type of fracture can produce growth disturbances.