Volume: 2 Issue: 1
Year: 2025, Page: 22-26, Doi: https://doi.org/10.71325/ajjms.v2i1.25.10
Received: Feb. 6, 2025 Accepted: March 25, 2025 Published: March 31, 2025
Background: The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) plays a critical role in maintaining a functional occlusal relationship and stable stomatognathic system. This study aimed to evaluate the differences in the morphology of the condyle, glenoid fossa, and joint space in relation to vertical and sagittal skeletal patterns in a sample of 30 orthodontic patients from the Dakshina Kannada population. Materials & Methods: Using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) for precise 3D imaging, the study assessed variations in condylar size, fossa dimensions, and joint space across Class I, II, III malocclusions and normodivergent, hypodivergent, and hyperdivergent growth patterns. Results: Results showed no significant difference in condylar width and length between sagittal and vertical groups. However, a significant difference in condylar height was observed between sagittal groups, with Class III patients exhibiting larger condylar height compared to Class I. No significant differences were found in the glenoid fossa dimensions or joint space measurements. These findings suggest that while condylar height varies across sagittal skeletal patterns, other TMJ dimensions remain consistent regardless of vertical and sagittal alignment. Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of understanding TMJ morphology for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning in orthodontics, especially regarding condylar height variations in different skeletal patterns. Further research with larger sample sizes is recommended to deepen the understanding of TMJ morphology and its impact on orthodontic outcomes.
Keywords: Condylar dimensions, TMJ morphology, skeletal patterns, CBCT, Orthodontic treatment planning.
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© 2025 Published by Laxmi Memorial Education Trust. This is an open-access article under CC BY 4.0 license. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
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