Avaliação comparativa da relação cabeça da mandíbula/fossa mandibular em indivíduos assintomáticos e sintomáticos, nas posições de relação cêntrica e máxima intercuspidação, por meio de tomografia computadorizada de feixe cônico

Abstract

This study quantitatively evaluated the discrepancies in the condyle/mandibular fossa relationship between centric relation (CR) and maximum intercuspation (MI) in symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Fourty young volunteers (aged 18 to 25 years) were distributed equally into symptomatic and asymptomatic groups according to the research diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders (RDC/TMD). They were submitted to one tomographic scan in MI and one in CR. Measurements were performed on lateral and frontal cuts of the patients temporomandibular joints, and the data collected were compared using Mann Whitney U test at a significance level of 5%. For symptomatic and asymptomatic groups, there were no statistically significant differences between CR and MI measurements. Also, there were no significant differences in the correspondent measurements, when compared between symptomatic and asymptomatic groups, for both mandibular positions. The comparison between left and right sides of subjects also showed no significant differences in both positions (MI, CR). The measurements in young subjects with practically intact dentitions using cone-beam computed tomography did not demonstrate differences between centric relation and maximum intercuspation, independently of the group. The comparison between condylar position of symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects were also similar. Considering the methodology used and the characteristics of the sample, very small discrepancies were found in most measurements, and were not statistically significant intra and intergroups.