Condylar position in adults with tooth loss by cone-beam tomography

Abstract

This study quantitatively evaluated the relationship between condyle-mandibular fossa in symptomatic and asymptomatic adult individuals in centric relation (CR) and maximal intercuspation (MI) positions, using computed tomography (CBCT). Twenty volunteers between 35 and 50 years of age participated in this study, comprising a group of ten symptomatic individuals and ten asymptomatic individuals, according to the diagnostic criteria for research on temporomandibular disorders (RDC / TMD). Each participant underwent two tomographic exams, one in MI and one in CR. Measurements of the joint spaces were made on the lateral and frontal sections of the temporomandibular joints, and the data collected were submitted to statistical analysis using the Mann-Whitney U test at a significance level off 5%. In the intragroup comparisons, there were no statistically significant differences between the MI and CR positions in both groups of asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals, but in the intergroup comparisons, statistically significant differences were found. Considering the methodology used and the characteristics of the sample, it was observed that there are differences in the condyle-mandibular fossa relationship in asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals, with posterior dental losses in the MI and CR positions, when compared intra and intergroup; however, with no significant statistical significance in large majority of them.