Comparative evaluation of condylar position in symptomatic (TMJ dysfunction) and asymptomatic individuals.

CONTEXT

The etiopathogenesis of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders has been attributed to multiple factors and, while the importance of centric relation (CR) has been acknowledged in dental literature, the role of condylar position and CR-CO (CO-centric occlusion) discrepancy in TMJ dysfunction (TMD) has been a source of controversy.

AIM

To establish the relationship between condyle position and TMD.

SETTING AND DESIGN

This was a case-control study to evaluate condylar displacement and interarch CR-CO discrepancy in symptomatic subjects (with TMD) and compare them with asymptomatic subjects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty subjects were screened for TMD based on Helkimo index and grouped into asymptomatic and symptomatic groups. CR was registered using the modified Roth power centric bite registration after neuromuscular deprogramming. Models thus mounted on an Advanced Dental Design (AD2) articulator were evaluated for interarch CR-CO discrepancy. The condylar position discrepancy was recorded on a device MCD (measured condylar deviation).

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

The Student's t test was used to test statistical significance. The paired t test and the unpaired t test were used for comparing results within and between the groups. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to find out the correlation between MCD measurements and dental three-dimensional (3D) model analysis measurements. The Chi-square test was used to evaluate the qualitative data.

RESULTS

The average vertical and horizontal condylar displacements were significantly greater in the symptomatic group than in the asymptomatic group. There were significant deviations at the level of the occlusion in both groups.

CONCLUSION

Condyle position may play a significant role in the etiopathogenesis of TMJ disorders.