Evaluation of three-dimensional osseous structure of temporomandibular joint according to sagittal skeletal patterns: A cone-beam computed tomography study

Objective To investigate the differences in the morphological structure and spatial position of the temporomandibular joint among patients with different sagittal skeletal patterns. Methods A total of 68 young adults with malocclusion were enrolled and allocated into skeletal Class Ⅰ group, skeletal Class Ⅱ group and skeletal Class Ⅲ group according to sagittal skeletal patterns. InVivo 5 software was used to reconstruct the cone-beam CT images of all patients, and 17 research items related to condyle, glenoid fossa and articular eminence were measured and analyzed. Results There was no significant difference in the morphological structure and spatial position of bilateral temporomandibular joints in patients regardless of sagittal skeletal patterns(P<0.05).Compared with skeletal Class Ⅰ and skeletal Class Ⅲ patients, skeletal Class Ⅱ patients had smaller mediolateral diameter of condyle, steeper posterior slope of articular eminence, and more posterior position of condyle, articular eminence and glenoid fossa. Compared with skeletal Class Ⅰ and skeletal Class Ⅱ patients, skeletal Class Ⅲ patients had smaller condyle axial angle and lower height of articular eminence. Conclusion There are significant differences in condyle morphological structure, articular eminence morphological structure, and spatial position of condyle, articular eminence and glenoid fossa among patients with different sagittal skeletal patterns.