title: Posteroanterior cephalometric changes in subjects with temporomandibular joint disorders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to establish the changes in posteroanterior cephalometric variables in subjects with temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Posteroanterior cephalograms of 61 subjects (age range 16-36.6 years, standard deviation 4.88 years) were used to determine cephalometric differences. Subjects were classified according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Joint Disorders into three groups: unilateral TMD, bilateral TMD and no TMD. 14 linear and angular measurements were assessed on the posteroanterior cephalogram. For assessing facial asymmetry, the asymmetry index for bilateral measurements was calculated between the right and the left side. In cases with unilateral TMD, the asymmetry index was calculated using the difference between the unaffected and affected side. The differences among multiple groups were analysed using the one-way analysis of variance test and Scheffé post hoc test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  47 subjects were females (77%) and 14 were males (23%). 19 subjects had unilateral TMDs and 16 subjects had bilateral TMDs. The asymmetry index of the distance from the horizontal plane to the antegonion was higher in subjects with unilateral TMD than in patients with bilateral or no TMD (p < 0.05). Also, the asymmetry index of the distances from the vertical plane to the condyle (p = 0.05), gonion (Go) (p = 0.0004), antegonion (p = 0.002) and chin (Ch) (p = 0.02) was higher in subjects with unilateral TMDs. The asymmetry index of the O point-Go-Go' and O point-Ch-Ch' angles differed significantly in subjects with unilateral TMDs (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Unilateral TMDs are associated with changes in posteroanterior cephalometric measurements. The assessment of posteroanterior cephalometric variables could be used as a key factor for evaluating the presence of TMDs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iuliu Haţieganu, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: O C
authors.initials: OC
authors.lastname: Almăşan
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Băciuţ
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hedeşiu
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bran
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Almăşan
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Băciuţ
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005146:Facial Asymmetry / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D013705:Temporomandibular Joint Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D055815:Young Adult