Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Study of Mandibular Condylar Morphology

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the morphology of mandibular condyle using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) on coronal sections in a South-Eastern Anatolian population. Methods: A total of 1820 joints in 910 subjects with age range of 18 to 86 years were examined retrospectively on CBCT images. The mandibular condylar morphology was examined in right and left sides on coronal sections and classified as convex, round, flat, and angled. In addition, condyle morphology was assessed according to age, gender, edentulism, Angle's classification. Results: The study sample contained CBCT scans of 910 patients (50.3% female, 49.7% male) with a mean age of 42.31 +/- 15.74. Condylar morphologies were analyzed as convex in 40.5%, angled in 34.3%, flat in 15.5%, round in 9.6% of the cases. Condyle shape was found statistically related to group age, gender, edentulism (P <0.05). Conclusion: The findings suggest that mandibular condyle shape is associated with age, gender, and edentulism. CBCT may be considered as an appropriate imaging method for detection of condyle alterations of temporomandibular joints and it could provide early diagnosis of temporomandibular joint disorder.