Condylar Degenerative Changes In Patients With Unilateral Mandibular Condylar Hyperplasia

The aim of the study is to evaluate the relationship between unilateral condylar hyperplasia (UCH) and condylar degenerative changes and to contribute to optimizing treatment planning for UCH. This study enrolled patients diagnosed with mandibular asymmetry at the Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, between September 2019 and June 2024. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University. Condylar degeneration of 105 patients with UCH diagnosed by single-photon emission computed tomography(SPECT)(UCH group) and 23 patients with non-UCH but deviated malocclusion(control group) were assessed through a scoring system with modification. Comparisons between groups were conducted using the independent-samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, pearson chi-square test or fisher's exact test. It is found that in UCH patiens, the condylar degeneration scores are different with higher score in controlateral condyle(1.2205±0.7003) and lower score in affected condyle(0.6304±0.4595), p<0.001. The difference in bilateral joint degeneration scores between the UCH group(0.5901±0.4776) was greater than that between the control group(0.3732±0.5917), p= 0.014. Meanwhile, bilateral joint clicking(p= 0.003) and pain(p= 0.012) are more common in patients with UCH. These findings highlight the clinical and radiographic heterogeneity of TMJ degeneration, particularly in UCH individuals. The data emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and intervention to mitigate the progression of degenerative changes.