Influence of horizontal condylar angle and x-ray projection angle on the appearance of the condyle on lateral temporomandibular joint panoramic radiographs.

Aims: This study used dried human mandibles and aimed to assess the effect of different horizontal condylar angle and the effect of different beam angles from three different units in the depiction of medial, central and lateral parts of the condyle on panoramic and lateral temporomandibular joint (TMJ) panoramic images.

Methods: Standard panoramic and lateral TMJ panoramic images of four dried human mandibles with horizontal condylar angles of 5, 8,10, 15, 17 and 20 degrees were analysed. The different parts of the condyle were represented by radiopaque markers.