Evaluation of Size of the Condyle in Vertical and Anteroposterior Skeletal Conditions with the Help of Cone-beam Computed Tomography.

Aim: Evaluation of size of the condyle in various vertical and anteroposterior skeletal conditions with the help of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Methods And Materials: In this study, 266 study participants were included consisting of 112 males and 144 females. The study participants were categorized as class I when -1° ≤ A point-nasion-B point angle (ANB) < 4°, class II when ANB ≥ 4°, and class III when ANB < -1°. The study participants were categorized as hypodivergent when the mandibular plane (MP) ≤ 23°, normodivergent when 23° < MP < 30°, and hyperdivergent when MP ≥ 30°. CBCT images were obtained for each subject and measurement of length, width, and height of the condyle was carried out. The data were collected and analysis of covariance test (ANCOVA) was used for statistical analysis. Statistical significance was adjusted at ≤ 0.05.

Results: The size of the condyle was smaller in females. The length of the condyle was similar in different anteroposterior and vertical positions with no significant difference. The width of the condyle and the height of the condyle were greatest in class III anteroposterior condition while they were lowest in class I condition. The width and height of the condyle were greatest in hypodivergent condition while they were lowest in hyperdivergent condition.

Conclusion: It was concluded that the height and width of the condyle vary considerably in different vertical and anteroposterior skeletal patterns and the size of the condyle was smaller in women as compared with men.

Clinical Significance: The position of the condyle and its morphology are important features that constitute an important part of orthodontic treatment planning. The skeletal pattern of the patient has also an important effect on the diagnosis, planning of treatment, and prognosis in the orthodontic treatment.