Temporomandibular joint asymmetry in asymptomatic skeletal class I patients

Abstract

Objectives Analysis of TMJ asymmetry in a sample of asymptomatic skeletal class I patients. Patients and methods This study was performed on one hundred patients requesting CBCT scans. All patients were skeletal class I pattern. They were all free of TMD symptoms, midline deviation of teeth, open bite, cross bite, congenital craniofacial abnormalities or any systemic diseases which may affect joint morphology such as rheumatoid arthritis. TMJ was evaluated through linear and volumetric analysis. Qualitative condyle position was also evaluated. All measures were compared on the right and left sides. Results There was relative asymmetry between right and left sides regarding all measured parameters. Condyle height showed the highest asymmetry, while condyle AP dimension was the least. There was absolute asymmetry between right and left sides regarding all measured parameters. fossa roof thickness showed the highest asymmetry, while condyle ML width was the least. On Correlating the R and L measurements, all correlations were positive with medium strength and were statistically highly significant. The highest correlation was shown in condyle volume while fossa roof thickness showed the least. The distributions of cases according to condyle position were almost statistically significantly different between right and left sides with 49 % percentage of agreement. Conclusion TMJ shows relative and absolute asymmetry in skeletal class I asymptomatic patients.