title: Condylar asymmetry in different occlusion types.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between vertical asymmetries of the mandibular condyle with different occlusion types, including Angle Cl I, Cl II, Cl III malocclusions and unilateral posterior crossbite (UPC) in adolescent patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total number of 120 patients (60 girls, 60 boys with a mean age of 13.64 ± 1.58 years) with no signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders were included in the study [n = 30 for each group; Group I: normal occlusion, Group II: Angle Class II malocclusion, Group III: Angle Class III malocclusion and Group IV: UPC]. The asymmetry index for each patient was measured using panoramic radiographs. The results were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U test at the 95% confidence level.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results of the analyses showed no statistically significant differences between the gender and the age of the patients for condylar height asymmetry (P>0.05). No statistically significant difference was found between the occlusion types, according to condylar asymmetry level. The patients with UPC showed a significantly different level of condylar height asymmetry compared to the Class I, II and III occlusion types (P<0.05; P<0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with UPC have asymmetric condylar heights. These patients might be at risk for developing skeletal mandibular asymmetries in the future. Early correction of posterior crossbite can help practitioners prevent skeletal asymmetries.
authors.forename: Yelda
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kasimoglu
authors.forename: Elif Bahar
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Tuna
authors.forename: Boragh
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rahimi
authors.forename: Gulnaz
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Marsan
authors.forename: Koray
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gencay
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic
keywords: Angle malocclusion; Condylar asymmetry,; Panoramic radiography,