Condylar asymmetry in bilateral posterior crossbite patients.

Objective: To investigate whether patients with bilateral posterior crossbite have asymmetrically developed condyles.

Materials And Methods: The study group consisted of 75 patients with bilateral posterior crossbite, and a control group of 75 subjects with normal occlusion. Condylar, ramal, and condylar plus ramal asymmetry values were computed for all of the subjects on orthopantomograms. Data were analyzed statistically by means of paired t-test and Student's t-test.

Results: The patients with bilateral posterior crossbite had more asymmetrical condyles relative to the controls. However, there were no statistically significant differences in condylar, ramal, or condylar plus ramal heights between left and right sides in both the control and crossbite groups.

Conclusion: Patients with bilateral posterior crossbite can have asymmetrical condyles and might be at risk for the development of future skeletal mandibular asymmetries.