Condylar morphology in growing patients related to vertical dimension

Aim of the study was to evaluate the mandibular morphology, especially the condylar one, in growing patients, according to the different vertical patterns. The objective was to analyze which condylar dimensions significantly vary in low, normal and high angle divergency growing patients with the use of the orthopantomogram (OPG).

From a database of randomly selected 514 patients, 96 subjects (48 males and 48 females) with skeletal Class I according to lateral cephalograms were selected and divided in three equal groups in relation to their vertical dimension (32 low FMA angle, 32 normal FMA angle and 32 high FMA angle). Each patient was examined with three OPGs at three different stages of dentition. OPGs were taken at the time of initial observation (T0 = first transitional phase of mixed dentition), after an average time of 12±1 months (T1=inter-transitional phase of mixed dentition) and after 36±3 months (T2=second transitional phase of mixed dentition). The radiological technician and the radiologic device were the same for each x-ray. On each OPG, condylar and mandibular ramus morphology of both sides was traced. Eleven linear and angular measurements were reported on each tracing. Data were analyzed by Wilcoxon's signed rank test and the Student's t-test.

The study showed different condylar characteristics according to the vertical patterns. Differences were evident between males and females.

The length of the mandibular ramus resulted longer in short-face patients respect to long-face subjects.