Korean J Orthod.  2018 Mar;48(2):73-80. 10.4041/kjod.2018.48.2.73.

Comparison of the three-dimensional structures of mandibular condyles between adults with and without facial asymmetry: A retrospective study

• Oh MH
• Kang SJ
• Cho JH

• KMID: 2406815
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4041/kjod.2018.48.2.73

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
This retrospective study compared the three-dimensional (3D) structure of mandibular condyles between adults with and without facial asymmetry, and whether it influences menton deviation.
METHODS
Sixty adult patients were classified into symmetry and asymmetry groups based on the menton deviation on postero-anterior radiographs. The right/left differences of 3D measurements were compared between the two groups, and measurements were compared separately on the right and left sides. The correlations between menton deviation and the right/left differences were analyzed.
RESULTS
The mediolateral dimension, neck length, condylar angles to the anteroposterior reference (PO) and midsagittal reference planes, and neck and head volumes showed significantly larger right/left differences in the asymmetry group compared to the symmetry group. Separate comparisons of the right and left sides between the two groups showed that the neck was significantly shorter and neck and head volumes were significantly smaller on the left side, which was deviated side in the asymmetry group. Pearson's correlation analysis showed significant positive correlations of menton deviation with right/left differences in neck length, condylar angle to the PO plane, and neck and head volumes in the asymmetry group.
CONCLUSIONS
In individuals with facial asymmetry, menton deviation is associated with the right/left differences caused by a smaller condyle on the deviated side, particularly in neck length and neck and head volumes.

Keyword

Facial asymmetry; Mandibular condyle; Three-dimensional structures; Menton deviation

MeSH Terms

Adult*
Facial Asymmetry*
Head
Humans
Mandibular Condyle*
Neck
Retrospective Studies*

Figure

• 

  Figure 1 Formation of three-dimensional images. The neck (A) and head (B) selection of demand (SOD) files were separated from the mandible SOD file which was separated from the whole volume rendering image by removing overlapping areas using the sculpt functions of program (V-works; CyberMed Inc., Seoul, Korea).

• 

  Figure 2 Three-dimensional measurements used in the present study. A, Mediolateral dimension of the condyle; B, anteroposterior dimension of the condyle; C, neck length; D, mediolateral condylar position; E, condylar angle to the Frankfort horizontal plane; F, condylar angle to the anteroposterior reference plane; G, condylar angle to the midsagittal reference plane; H and I, neck and head volumes (volumes are shown in the right top of each multiplanar reconstruction window).

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