Original article
Computed tomography evaluation of the temporomandibular joint in Class I malocclusion patients: Condylar symmetry and condyle-fossa relationship

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajodo.2007.07.032Get rights and content

Introduction

The purpose of this study was to investigate the condyle-fossa relationship, the concentric position of the condyles, and the dimensional and positional symmetries between the right and left condyles in subjects with Class I malocclusion.

Methods

Thirty subjects from 13 to 30 years of age with Class I malocclusion had computed tomography imaging of the temporomandibular joints. The images obtained from axial slices were evaluated for possible asymmetries in size and position between the condylar processes associated with this malocclusion. The images obtained from sagittal slices were used to assess the depth of the mandibular fossa, the condyle-fossa relationship, and the concentric position of the condyles of this malocclusion. Paired Student t tests were applied, and Pearson product moment correlations were determined after measurements on both sides were obtained.

Results

We found no statistically significant asymmetries between the condylar processes in this sample. No statistically significant asymmetries were found in the mandibular fossa depth, the anterior joint space, and the superior joint space. The posterior joint space showed statistically significant asymmetry (P <0.05) between the right and left sides. Statistically significant (P <0.05) anterior positioning of the condyles was observed (nonconcentric positioning).

Conclusions

Only the posterior articular space had a statistically significant difference between the right and left sides. There was a higher mean for posterior articular space on the right temporomandibular joint. Evaluation of the concentric position of the condyles in their mandibular fossae showed nonconcentric positioning for the 2 sides.

Section snippets

Material and methods

Thirty persons with Class I malocclusion, aged 13 to 30 years, underwent CT imaging of the TMJs. All participants met the following requirements: all permanent teeth erupted, except third molars; and no functional mandibular deviations, crossbites, open bites, evident facial asymmetry, or temporomandibular disorders.

Our methodology was described by Vitral et al20 and Vitral and Telles.21

The CT images were obtained with the patients in maximum dental intercuspation, and their heads were

Results

The descriptive statistics for each measurement are shown in Table I. The descriptive statistics for the evaluation of the concentric position of the condyles are given in Table II.

The mean depths of the mandibular fossae were 8.34 and 8.62 mm for the right and left sides, respectively (P = 0.106; r = 0.005). The mean anterior joint spaces were 1.29 and 1.22 mm for the right and left sides, respectively (P = 0.488; r = 0.001). The mean superior joint spaces were 1.57 mm for the right side and

Discussion

According to the literature, the most significant morphologic alterations and positioning asymmetries of TMJ structures are related to absence of teeth, dental abrasion, premature occlusal contact points, functional mandibular deviations, unilateral posterior crossbites, and dentoskeletal asymmetries. However, articular aspects that are characteristic of specific malocclusions were not determined. To date, it is unknown whether a morphologic condition or an articular positioning is typical of a

Conclusions

Of all measurements evaluated, only posterior articular space had a statistically significant difference between the right and left sides. There was a higher mean for posterior articular space on the right TMJ. Evaluation of the concentric position of the condyles in their respective mandibular fossae showed nonconcentric positioning for the 2 sides.

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    The authors report no commercial, proprietary, or financial interest in the products or companies described in this article.

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