Significance of condylar positions in patients with temporomandibular disorders

Radiographs of closed condylar positions in subjects with symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorders are compared with those in subjects without symptoms. Of the condyles in asymptomatic subjects, 30% had anterior or posterior deviations of more than 1 mm in either direction. Of the condyles in symptomatic subjects, 27% had anterior or posterior deviations of more than 1 mm. As the findings are almost the same for both groups, it appears that condylar position in the fossa, as determined by transcranial radiographs, is of questionable significance as it relates to the symptoms of temporomandibular disorders.