Condylar asymmetry measurements in patients with temporomandibular disorders.
OBJECTIVE
The relationship between condylar asymmetry and handedness of the patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and patients with no signs or symptoms of TMD was investigated. The experimental group consisted of 25 patients aged 15 to 52 years who were referred for treatment of TMD. The mean age of this group was 26.24 years. The control group consisted of 25 patients aged 14 to 52 years (mean age: 26.16 years).


METHODS
The formula by Habets et al.14 was used to express the symmetry between the condyles and the rami on the orthopantomogram (OPG) image. Differences between both groups and subgroups (condyle, ramus, condyle plus ramus) regarding symmetry were calculated with the Student's t-test.


RESULTS
The mean of condylar asymmetry was found to be 11.11 +/- 11.03% in the TMD group. However, in the control group, the mean of condylar asymmetry was found to be 8.36 +/- 6.27%. No statistically significant differences were found between condylar asymmetry in both groups (p>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
No statistically significant differences were found between condylar asymmetry index in patients with TMD according to myogenous problems and in patients with no signs or symptoms of TMD.
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the Faculty of Dentistry at Suleyman Demirel University. aasaglam@hotmail.com
Ali Alp
AA
Saglam
Gulperi
G
Sanli
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005146:Facial Asymmetry / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000473:pathology*; D055815:Young Adult