Radiographic evaluation of condylar shape in Cl I and Cl III malocclusion

Radiographic evaluation of condylar shape in Cl I and Cl III malocclusion Dr. S. Yassaei* - Dr. MH. Toode zaeim* - Dr. M. Bagheri** *- Assistant Professor of Orthodontics Dept. - Faculty of Dentistry – Shaheed Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences. **- Dentist. Background and Aim: Antero-posterior position of condyle in glenoid fossa puts a direct effect on antero-posterior and vertical position of mandible determining the facial morphology, as a result. The aim of this study was to evaluate the condylar shape in patients with Cl I and Cl III malocclusion radiographically. Materials and Methods: In this study, condylar shape as weel as length and width of its neck, on panoramic and lateral cephalometric radiographs of 80 subjects, with the mean age of 11 years for females and 12 years and 5 months for males were investigated. Condylar shape and length were measured on panoramic radiographs while the width of its neck was measured on lateral cephalometries. Results: Statistically significant relationship was found between facial grosth pattern and condylar shape in patients with Cl III malocclusion (p. value = 0.02). In such patients, with normal or horizontal growth pattern, condylar flattening was the prominent shape. In patients with Cl I malocclusion there was no significant correlation between facial growth pattern and condylar shape. The width of condylar neck was less in patients with Cl III malocclusion than those with Cl I malocclusion. The difference was statically significant, however, condylar length was more among Cl III patients. Conclusion: Th prominent shape of flattening in patients with Cl III malocclusion could be an indicative of the effects of malocclusion on condylar shape. Key words: Condylar shape – Condylar neck – Condyle – Condylar length