title: Temporomandibular joint and normal occlusion: Is there anything singular about it? A computed tomographic evaluation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to investigate the condyle-fossa relationship, the position of the condyles in their respective mandibular fossae, and the dimensional and positional symmetries between the right and left condyles in a sample with normal occlusion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty subjects from 15 to 32 years of age with normal occlusion had computed tomography scans of their temporomandibular joints. The images obtained from the axial slices were evaluated for possible asymmetries in size and position between the condylar processes. The images obtained from the sagittal slices were used to assess the depth of the mandibular fossa, the condyle-fossa relationship, and the centralization of the condyles in their respective mandibular fossae. Paired Student t tests were applied, and Pearson product moment correlations were determined after measurements on both sides were obtained.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The largest mediolateral diameter of the mandibular condylar processes (P = 0.022) and the posterior joint spaces (P = 0.048) showed statistically significant differences between the right and left sides. Statistically significant (P <0.05) anterior positioning of the condyles (noncentralized position) was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No singular characteristic in the temporomandibular joints of the normal occlusion group was verified. The largest mediolateral diameter of the mandibular condylar processes and the posterior joint spaces showed statistically significant differences between the right and left sides. Evaluation of the position of the condyles in their respective mandibular fossae showed noncentralized positioning for the right and left sides.
authors: Department of Orthodontics and Pediatrics, Juiz de Fora Federal University, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil. robertvitral@acessa.com
authors: Robert Willer Farinazzo
authors: RW
authors: Vitral
authors: Márcio José
authors: MJ
authors: da Silva Campos
authors: Andréia Fialho
authors: AF
authors: Rodrigues
authors: Marcelo Reis
authors: MR
authors: Fraga
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003766:Dental Occlusion; D006801:Humans; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed; D055815:Young Adult