Evaluation of Mandibular Condylar Morphology in Different Vertical Skeletal Patterns Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography: An in Vitro Study

Introduction: The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) has been the topic of many studies because its anatomy and physiology are tightly related to stomatognathic functions. Additionally, the morphology and position of the mandibular condyle, being a primary growth center, is believed to affect the growth rate, and may therefore, affect facial vertical growth patterns. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) has recently become the routine imaging modality used by clinicians in different dental specialties Aim of the study: To assess the morphology of the mandibular condyle in different vertical skeletal patterns using cone beam computed tomography. Materials and methods: Sixty-six cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were selected from the archives of the Oral Radiology Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Suez Canal University. The CBCT scans were divided into three groups based on the vertical skeletal pattern: group I of normal vertical skeletal pattern (norm-divergent), group II of high angle cases (hyperdivergent) and group III of low angle cases (hypodivergent). Specific linear measurements delineating the condylar morphology, namely the anterior, superior and posterior joint space, were measured from the CBCT scans of the three groups and were compared. Results: Results of the present study showed significant difference in the mean of most of the measurements related to the condylar morphology between the normal, high, and low vertical skeletal patterns. The hypodivergent group (group III) showed significantly higher values in comparison to the other groups regarding the readings taken from the corrected sagittal plane. Conclusion: The morphology of the mandibular condylar process affects the different vertical skeletal patterns.