title: Radiographic assessment of asymmetry of the mandible.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the relationship between mandibular asymmetry and disorders of the temporomandibular joint.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used advanced imaging of the temporomandibular joint to distinguish different causes of mandibular asymmetry. MR imaging and arthrography were applied to the temporomandibular joints of 11 patients presenting with mandibular asymmetry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Condyle hyperplasia was identified as the cause of the asymmetry in 5 patients. In the other 6 patients the mandibular condyle was normal on the long side, but the short side of the face demonstrated a small condyle head, short condyle neck associated with disk displacement, internal derangement, and degenerative joint disease of the temporomandibular joint.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These observations suggest that both condyle hyperplasia on the long side of the mandible and disk displacement and degenerative joint disease of the temporomandibular joint on the short side can cause mandibular asymmetry. It was concluded that MR imaging or arthrography can be valuable for understanding the cause of mandibular asymmetry and be effective in treatment planning.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, NY.
authors.forename: P L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Westesson
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Tallents
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Katzberg
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Guay
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001175:Arthrography; D002508:Cephalometry; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005146:Facial Asymmetry / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008334:Mandible / Q000473:pathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000473:pathology*; D013706:Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis*