Facial growth after condylectomy or ostectomy in the mandibular ramus

A study was conducted in six young and six adult monkeys to determine how the condyle influences growth of the mandible. Either an ostectomy in the ramus to decrease condylar height or a condylectomy was performed on each monkey. Similar morphologic changes were observed in the maxilla and the mandible of both groups, indicating that the changes resulted from ramal shortening and alterations in function rather than from loss of a condylar growth center.