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. 2023 Jan 12;20(2):1437.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph20021437.

Three-Dimensional Assessment of Temporomandibular Joint Morphology and Facial Asymmetry in Individuals with Different Vertical Skeletal Growth Patterns

Rohan Diwakar  1 , Rosaria Bucci  2 , Ankur Kaushik  1 , Anubhav Bansal  1 , Paolo Bucci  3 , Anuraj Singh Kochhar  4 , Gianrico Spagnuolo  2   5
Affiliations

Three-Dimensional Assessment of Temporomandibular Joint Morphology and Facial Asymmetry in Individuals with Different Vertical Skeletal Growth Patterns

Rohan Diwakar et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to investigate, by means of Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT), condyle−fossa relationship, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) morphology and facial asymmetry in subjects with different vertical skeletal growth patterns. CBCT of 56 patients (112 TMJs) were categorized into three groups according to the mandibular plane angle (MP): Hypodivergent (MP ≤ 23°), Normodivergent (23° < MP < 30°), and Hyperdivergent (MP ≥ 30°). TMJ spaces, width and depth of the condyle and thickness of the fossa were measured. Horizontal and vertical measurements were used to assess facial asymmetry. One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and post-hoc Turkey tests were computed for the between-groups comparison. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Larger anterior joint space and smaller condylar dimensions (medio-lateral diameter and medio-lateral thickness) were observed in the hyperdivergent group compared to the normodivergent and hypodivergent groups. Right condylar distances to midsagittal plane were significantly larger than left distances in all the three groups. A vertical pattern of growth in healthy individuals seems to be associated with condylar position and dimension, while facial asymmetry values do not differ among different vertical groups.

Keywords: cone-beam computed tomography; facial asymmetry; imaging; mandibular condyle; temporomandibular joint; three-dimensional.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Sagittal view. a—anterior joint space; b—superior joint space; c—posterior joint space; d—depth of the glenoid fossa, e—condylar length; f—condylar neck width.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Axial view: a—mediolateral diameter of the condyle; b—antero posterior diameter of the condyle; c—condylar axis angle.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Coronal view. a—medial joint space; b—lateral joint space; c—mediolateral condyle thickness.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Horizontal measurements of facial asymmetry.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Vertical measurements of facial asymmetry.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Asymmetry measurements on the MSP (Midsagittal Plane).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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