Quantitative and qualitative condylar morphological changes after conservative treatment in adolescents with...

Anterior disc displacement without reduction (ADDwoR) of the temporomandibular joint often accompanies temporomandibular joint osteoarthrosis, resulting in changes in the morphology of the condyle, especially in adolescents. In this study, 324 condyles of 247 adolescents with ADDwoR, treated conservatively, were analysed through qualitative evaluations and quantitative measurements, in order to assess the process of changes in condylar morphology. The morphology of the condyle with continuous cortex exhibited greater stability in comparison with the whole sample, and the likelihood of bone loss in this category was reduced (P < 0.001). During follow-up (range 12-96 months, mean ± standard deviation 28.9 ± 18.1 months), over half (51.4%) of the condyles in the discontinuous condylar cortex (DCC) group transitioned to continuous condylar cortex (CCC), whereas the majority (85.7%) of the condyles in the CCC group maintained their continuity. Quantitative measurements revealed a significant association between bone loss in the condyle and a decrease in condylar height (stable vs deteriorated, P < 0.001), accompanied by a reduction in condylar volume (stable vs deteriorated, P = 0.034). Furthermore, condyles with bone loss showed restricted growth in both the mediolateral diameter (repaired vs deteriorated, P = 0.001; stable vs deteriorated, P < 0.001) and anteroposterior diameter (repaired vs deteriorated, P = 0.018).