Facial asymmetry in temporomandibular joint disorders

In order to investigate skeletal deviation in patients with internal derangement of the TMJ, facial asymmetry was examined by the frontal cephalogram and compared with a control group of asymptomatic subjects. It was demonstrated that mandibular lateral displacement in the patients was significantly greater than that in the controls. The degree of displacement was significantly related to the cant of the frontal occlusal plane and the frontal mandibular plane, indicating the reduced vertical dimension of the posterior occlusal level and the ramus height on the mandibular displaced side. It is concluded that facial asymmetry due to mandibular lateral displacement is a relatively common problem in patients with internal derangement of TMJ. The cant of the frontal occlusal plane seems to be an important occlusal characteristic related to temporomandibular joint dysfunction.