The prevalence of bifid mandibular condyle detected in a Brazilian population.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of bifid mandibular condyle (BMC) detected on panoramic radiographs in a Brazilian population.


METHODS
The panoramic radiographs of 50 080 radiographs taken from 1999 to 2006 were retrospectively reviewed in order to identify BMC cases.


RESULTS
9 (0.018%) of the 50 080 patients, 2 men and 7 women, with age ranging from 20 years to 74 years, had BMC. These conditions were unilateral in 7 (78%) subjects and bilateral in 2 (22%) subjects. All patients denied a history of any previous trauma or fracture of the mandible, pain, or trismus.


CONCLUSIONS
BMC is an uncommon finding in a group of Brazilian subjects and, although it is rare, dentists should be aware of this condition on routine panoramic radiographs and its implications for function and appropriate treatment modalities.
Menezes
A V
AV
Oral Radiology, School of Dentistry of Piracicaba-UNICAMP, Brazil.
de Moraes Ramos
F M
FM
de Vasconcelos-Filho
J O
JO
Kurita
L M
LM
de Almeida
S M
SM
Haiter-Neto
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000002:abnormalities*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014054:Tomography