Craniofacial morphology of Chinese patients with bilateral temporomandibular joint osteoarthrosis.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the morphological features of craniofacial structures in young patients affected by bilateral temporomandibular joint osteoarthrosis (TMJOA). METHODS Forty-three males and 189 females aged 15 to 25 years who had lateral cephalograms and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) radiological examinations were included. They were classified into a TMJOA group and a control group, according to TMJ bony status. Thirty-two variables from lateral cephalogram were analysed by t test to evaluate the cranial and dentofacial differences between the two groups. RESULTS TMJOA group showed a shorter posterior ramus height and shorter condyles, smaller SNB angle and larger ANB angle, smaller facial plane angle and larger angle of convexity, steeper mandibular plane angle and more vertical y-axis. CONCLUSION Bilateral TMJOA is associated with dentofacial alterations characterised by a tendency toward retrognathism and shorter mandibles. However, the cause-and-effect relationship is yet to be clarified.