Mandibular condyle volumes are associated with facial asymmetry in patients with cleft lip and palate: A retrospective cohort study.

This study compares condylar volumetric asymmetry and facial asymmetry in patients with cleft lip and/or palate (CLP) and controls. The mandibular condyle is important to facial growth, but its role in facial asymmetry for those with CLP has not been described. Condylar volumes and mandibular asymmetry were retrospectively calculated using Mimics Version 23.0 (Materialise, Leuven, Belgium) from patients with CLP undergoing computed tomography (CT) imaging and a cohort of controls. A total of 101 participants, 60 with CLP and 41 controls, had mean condylar volumetric asymmetry of 16.4 ± 17.4 % (CLP) and 6.0 ± 4.0 % (controls) (p = 0.0002). Patients with CLP who had clinically significant chin deviation (>4 mm) had more asymmetric condyles than those without significant chin deviation (p = 0.003). The chin deviated toward the smaller condyle in patients with facial asymmetry more often than in patients without facial asymmetry (81 % vs. 62 %, p = 0.033). While controls had some degree of condylar asymmetry, it tended to be milder and not associated with facial asymmetry. There is a greater degree of condylar volumetric asymmetry in patients with CLP compared to individuals in the general population. Clinically significant facial asymmetry in CLP is associated with a higher degree of condylar asymmetry, with the facial midline deviating toward the smaller condyle.

Diagnostic accuracy of bone SPECT and SPECT/CT imaging in the diagnosis of unilateral condylar hyperplasia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Imaging with bone scans plays an important role in the diagnostic path of patients with unilateral condylar hyperactivity or unilateral condylar hyperplasia (UCH). The aim of this study is to perform a systematic review of the diagnostic performance of the bone SPECT and SPECT/CT scan for the diagnosis of UCH. PubMed, SCOPUS and EMBASE were searched electronically to identify diagnostic accuracy studies that assessed the diagnostic value of bone SPECT and SPECT/CT for the diagnosis of UCH, Meta-analyses were performed with Metadisc 1.4 and 2.0. A total of 14 studies, with a total number of 887 patients, were included in the qualitative analysis and 11 studies qualified for meta-analyses. The pooled sensitivity and specificity for the SPECT scan were 0.814 (95 % CI: 0.639-0.915) and 0.774 (95 % CI: 0.655-0.861), for the SPECT/CT scan these were 0.818 (95 % CI: 0.749-0.874) and 0.901 (95 % CI: 0.840-0.945). The summary receiver operating characteristics of the SPECT scan showed an area under the curve of 0.847 (95 % CI: 0.722-0.972) and that of the SPECT/CT scan was 0.928 (95 % CI: 0.876-0.980). CONCLUSION: Both bone SPECT scan and SPECT/CT scan provide a high diagnostic accuracy for UCH. The added value of the SPECT/CT scan is questionable and given the potential disadvantages of the SPECT/CT scan, including the increased radiation dose and costs, the diagnostic modality of first choice in patients with UCH should be a SPECT scan.

[Mandibular condyle localization in orthognathic surgery based on mandibular movement trajectory and its preliminary accuracy verification].

OBJECTIVE: To establish and assess the precision of pre-surgical condyle position planning using mandibular movement trajectory data for orthognathic surgery. METHODS: Skull data from large-field cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and dental oral scan data were imported into IVSPlan 1.0.25 software for 3D reconstruction and fusion, creating 3D models of the maxilla and mandible. Trajectory data of mandibular movement were collected using a mandibular motion recorder, and the data were integrated with the jaw models within the software. Subsequently, three-dimensional trajectories of the condyle were obtained through matrix transformations, rendering them visually accessible. A senior oral and maxillofacial surgeon with experience in both diagnosis and treatment of temporomandibular joint disease and orthognathic surgery selected the appropriate condyle position using the condyle movement trajectory interface. During surgical design, the mobile mandibular proximal segment was positioned accordingly. Routine orthognathic surgical planning was completed by determining the location of the mandibular distal segment, which was based on occlusal relationships with maxilla and facial aesthetics. A virtual mandible model was created by integrating data from the proximal and distal segment bone. Subsequently, a solid model was generated through rapid prototyping. The titanium plate was pre-shaped on the mandibular model, and the screw hole positions were determined to design a condylar positioning guide device. In accordance with the surgical plan, orthognathic surgery was performed, involving mandibular bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO). The distal segment of the mandible was correctly aligned intermaxillary, while the proximal bone segment was positioned using the condylar positioning guide device and the pre-shaped titanium plate. The accuracy of this procedure was assessed in a study involving 10 patients with skeletal class Ⅱ malocclusion. Preoperative condyle location planning and intraoperative positioning were executed using the aforementioned techniques. CBCT data were collected both before the surgery and 2 weeks after the procedure, and the root mean square (RMS) distance between the preope-rative design position and the actual postoperative condyle position was analyzed. RESULTS: The RMS of the condyle surface distance measured was (1.59±0.36) mm (95%CI: 1.35-1.70 mm). This value was found to be significantly less than 2 mm threshold recommended by the expert consensus (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The mandibular trajectory may play a guiding role in determining the position of the mandibular proximal segment including the condyle in the orthognathic surgery. Through the use of a condylar positioning guide device and pre-shaped titanium plates, the condyle positioning can be personalized and customized with clinically acceptable accuracy.

[Comparison of the virtual surgical planning position of maxilla and condyle with the postoperative real position in patients with mandibular protrusion].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the difference between virtual surgical planning (VSP) position and postoperative real position of maxilla and condyle, and to explore the degree of intraoperative realization of VSP after orthognathic surgery. METHODS: In this study, 36 patients with mandibular protrusion deformity from January 2022 to December 2022 were included. All the patients had been done bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO) combined with Le Fort Ⅰ osteotomy under guidance of VSP. The VSP data (T0) and 1-week postoperative CT (T1) were collected, the 3D model of postoperative CT was established and segmented into upper and lower jaws in CCMF Plan software. At the same time, accor-ding to the morphology of palatal folds, the virtual design was registered with the postoperative model, and the unclear maxillary dentition in the postoperative model was replaced. Then the postoperative model was matched with VSP model by registration of upper skull anatomy that was not affected by the operation. The three-dimensional reference plane and coordinate system were established. Selecting anatomical landmarks and their connections of condyle and maxilla for the measurement, we compared the coordinate changes of marker points in three directions, and the angle changes between the line connecting the marker points and the reference plane to analyze the positional deviation and the angle deviation of the postoperative condyle and maxilla compared to VSP. RESULTS: The postoperative real position of the maxilla deviates from the VSP by nearly 1 mm in the horizontal and vertical directions, and the anteroposterior deviation was about 1.5 mm. In addition, most patients had a certain degree of counterclockwise rotation of the maxilla after surgery. Most of the bilateral condyle moved forward, outward and downward (the average distance deviation was 0.15 mm, 1.54 mm, 2.19 mm, respectively), and rotated forward, outward and upward (the average degree deviation was 4.32°, 1.02°, 0.86°, respectively) compared with the VSP. CONCLUSION: VSP can be mostly achieved by assistance of 3D printed occlusal plates, but there are certain deviations in the postoperative real position of maxilla and condyle compared with VSP, which may be related to the rotation axis of the mandible in the VSP. It is necessary to use patient personalized condylar rotation axis for VSP, and apply condylar positioning device to further improve surgical accuracy.

Accuracy and stability of the condyle position after orthognathic surgery: A retrospective study.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and stability of condylar positioning in patients treated with bimaxillary procedures compared with patients treated with maxillary procedures alone. All patients had undergone treatment at Odense University Hospital and were treated with inferior maxillary procedures. The primary outcome was changes in condyle position and the primary predictor variable was time: pre-operative (T0) measurements to 1-week post-operative (T1) and 1-year post-operative (T2) measurements. Condyle movement was measured using dual voxel-based alignment. Sixteen patients were included. Seven patients underwent solitary maxillary procedure and 9 patients bimaxillary procedure. Bimaxillary procedures overall showed a condyle positional change in pitch from T0 to T1 and T1 to T2 compared to maxillary procedures alone. Condylar translation was stable despite large differences in positioning. Compared to solitary maxillary procedures, bimaxillary procedures showed a statistically significant anterocranial rotation at 1-week follow-up movement (3.95° vs. -0.95°; SD 3,74 vs 1,05; P value = 0.000) and an additional statistically significant anterocranial movement at 1 year after surgery (4.89° vs 0.60°; SD 3,82 vs 0,92; P value = 0.000). In conclusion a need for greater anterocranial stability of the sagittal split osteotomy than that provided by 3 bicortically fixated screws alone might be indicated.

A proposed protocol for correlation between bone density in hemimandibular hyperplasia radiography and histopathological findings - A retrospective study.

The role of low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) in surgical planning can be assessed based on the correlation among bone density (BD/HU), radiographic values, and the histopathological appearance of hyperplastic overgrowth in mandibular condyles (hemimandibular hyperplasia/osteochondroma). The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between LDCT indices of bone-density measurements in surgical planning and histopathological specimens. The patients incuded in this study underwent detailed radiological evaluation as preparation for further clinical procedures. Excised condyles were evaluated in terms of bone density index using LDCT, and then histopathologically to investigate the accuracy of surgical procedures and set the basis for future surgical planning. An index value between both condyles' bone densities represented the relative difference between the healthy condyle and the side with hemimandibular hyperplasia (HH). Patients with unilateral condylar hyperplasia (UCH) showed a statistical correlation between condyle heads with increased bone density (BD) and scintigraphic (SCI) values (p < 0.001). On the other hand, correlation between BD and histopathological studies alone was significant (p < 0.001). With the increase in BD measured in HU in UCH condyles, the overall value of fibrous cartilage layer thickness decreased (p < 0.001). Furthermore, histopathological evaluation indicated that increased bone density on the UCH side resulted in increased total thickness (p > 0.001). The proposed index measurements in the mandibular condyles based on LDCT/BD can be used to estimate the degree of required surgical resection. Results from LDCT radiographic studies correlate with histopathological specimens more than scintigraphy.

Imaging features of temporomandibular joint synovial chondromatosis with associated osseous degenerative changes.

Synovial chondromatosis (SC) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a rare benign disease associated with the formation of multiple cartilaginous nodules in the synovial tissue of the TMJ. This can result in pain, swelling, clicking, limited mouth opening, and osseous degenerative joint changes. A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed to summarize the clinical features, radiographic findings, and surgical and histopathological findings of TMJ SC patients who underwent open surgery over a 24-year period. A radiographic scoring system was used to evaluate osseous changes and correlate condyle and joint fossa degeneration. The study included 38 patients and focused on 38 joints. All 38 of these joints showed degenerative changes in the condyle, while 37 showed osseous degenerative changes in the articular fossa. The degree of condylar degenerative changes was related to the duration of the chief complaints (r = 0.342, P = 0.036) and the histopathological stage of the TMJ SC (r = 0.440, P = 0.006), while the degree of joint fossa degenerative changes was associated with the radiographic extent of the SC (r = 0.504, P = 0.001), type of calcification (r = 0.365, P = 0.024), and the histopathological stage (r = 0.458, P = 0.004).

The Role of Digital Surgical Planning and Surgical Guides in the Treatment of Unilateral Condylar Hyperplasia.

Unilateral condylar hyperplasia (UCH) results in facial asymmetry, malocclusion, and temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Treatment consists of both surgical and orthodontic intervention. A review was performed for 4 patients with UCH who underwent digital surgical planning (DSP)-assisted condylectomy. All patients were female, aged 14 to 35 years at the time of operation with facial asymmetry and class III malocclusion. None of the patients had prior treatment and all had perioperative orthodontic appliances to provide fixation and postoperative elastic therapy. All patients underwent DSP-guided condylectomy, and intraoperative surgical cutting guides were used for 3 of the patients. All had significant improvement in facial symmetry and occlusion. None had recurrence, and additional intervention has not been required. If UCH is recognized before marked secondary changes in the maxilla, mandible, and occlusion, future orthognathic surgery may be potentially obviated. Craniomaxillofacial surgeons should consider using DSP and surgical guides in the treatment of UCH.

Effect of arthroscopic discopexy on condylar growth in adolescents with temporomandibular joint disc displacement without reduction: A retrospective self-controlled case series study.

This study was a retrospective self-controlled study that aimed to evaluate the effect of arthroscopic discopexy on condylar height and mandibular position in adolescents with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) anterior disc displacement without reduction (ADDwoR). Patients between 10 and 20 years of age and diagnosed with bilateral TMJ ADDwoR by magnetic resonance image (MRI) were included in this study. All patients underwent a period of natural course before arthroscopic surgery and then a follow-up period postoperatively. Changes in condylar height and mandibular position were measured by MRI and X-ray radiographs. Data were analyzed by paired t-test, Pearson correlation analysis, and generalized estimating equations. This study comprised a total of 40 patients with a mean age of 14.80 years. Pearson correlation analysis showed correlations between condylar height and mandibular position changes. The condylar height change during the post-operative period was significantly higher than that during natural course period (3.57 mm, p < 0.001). The changes in mandibular position (including ANB angle, SNB angle, and Pog-Np) were significant different (all p < 0.05) between the two periods. This study found that arthroscopic discopexy can promote condylar growth and correct dentofacial deformity in adolescents with bilateral TMJ ADDwoR.

Effect of occlusal stabilisation splint with or without arthroscopic disc repositioning on condylar bone remodelling in adolescent patients.

The aim of this study was to investigate the treatment effects of a stabilisation splint (SS) with and without arthroscopic disc repositioning (ADR) on condylar bone remodelling in adolescent patients with anterior disc displacement without reduction (ADDwoR). Cone beam computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were used to analyse condylar bone remodelling, condyle position, and disc position. Twenty-two temporomandibular joints of 14 patients who underwent ADR (age range 12-20 years; mean follow-up 12.5 ± 7.8 months) and 21 temporomandibular joints of 14 patients who did not undergo ADR (age range 13-20 years; mean follow-up 11.1 ± 5.1 months) were included. The change in bone volume (P < 0.001), rate of bone volume change (P < 0.001), and change in condyle height (P = 0.031) were significantly greater in patients with ADR than in those without ADR. The changes in posterior joint space (P = 0.013), superior joint space (P = 0.020), and ratio of condyle sagittal position (P = 0.013) were significantly greater in patients with ADR than in those without ADR. All discs in patients who underwent ADR and one disc in those who did not undergo ADR were backward repositioned. In conclusion, in adolescent patients with ADDwoR, ADR with SS therapy achieved better condyle and disc position than SS therapy alone, and also induced bone generation.

Developing a universal and reliable temporomandibular joint reference system for quantifying morphological and positional changes.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to provide a universal and reliable reference system quantifying temporomandibular joint (TMJ) morphological and positional changes. METHODS: Large field-of-view (FOV) cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images (20 TMJs) from 10 preorthognathic surgery patients and limited FOV CBCT images (40 TMJs) from 20 splint therapy-treated patients with temporomandibular disorders were collected. TMJ-specific reference system including a TMJ horizontal reference plane (TMJHP) and a local coordinate system (TMJCS) was constructed with landmarks on cranial base. Its application for TMJ measurements and its spatial relationship to common Frankfort horizontal plane (FHP) and maxillofacial coordinate system (MFCS) were evaluated. RESULTS: Five relevant landmarks were selected to optimally construct TMJ-specific reference system. General parallelism between TMJHP and FHP was demonstrated by minimal angular and constant distance deviation (1.714 ±â€…0.811º; 2.925 ±â€…0.817 mm). Additionally, tiny axial orientational deviations (0.181 ±â€…6.805º) suggested TMJCS rivaled MFCS. Moreover, small deviations in orientations and distances (1.232 ±â€…0.609º; 0.310 ±â€…0.202 mm) indicated considerable reliability for TMJCS construction, with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) ranging from 0.999 to 1.000. Lastly, slight discrepancies in translations and rotations revealed high reliability for condylar positional and morphological measurements (ICC, 0.918-0.999). LIMITATIONS: TMJ-specific reference system was merely tested in two representative FOVs. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a universal and reliable reference system for TMJ assessment that is applicable to both limited and large FOV CBCT. It would improve comparability among diverse studies and enable comprehensive evaluations of TMJ positional and morphological changes during TMJ-related treatment follow-up such as splint therapy and disease progression.

How good is good enough? Lessons learned from review of outcomes of 50 patients following extraoral open reduction and internal fixation of condylar neck and base fractures at a regional major trauma centre.

The management of mandibular fractures is routine owing to their frequency, particularly those of the mandibular condyle, which are invariably common. Notwithstanding disparities in the literature, the international consensus towards which fractures of the mandibular condyle benefit from open surgical intervention is almost universally accepted. Closed reduction or non-operative management may be utilised in certain circumstances. Whilst outcome research has addressed complications with respect to operative side effects, outcomes related to the quality of bone repair and the setting in which this is delivered have not been universally addressed. The aim of this study was to determine the predictability of translating an indicated operative treatment plan into an acceptable functional result. We evaluated the outcomes of 59 extracapsular condylar fractures in 50 patients who were treated by extraoral open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) between March 2021 and August 2022. We reviewed demographic data, surgical approach, and plating strategy, and critically evaluated the clinical and radiological outcomes. Whilst we found that the quality of reduction was not universally perfect, the majority were within tolerance, which we set according to the Strasbourg Osteosynthesis Research Group (SORG) definition for minimal displacement (<2 mm overlap and 10° angulation). The cohort had good functional occlusion and minimal long-term postoperative complications. Two patients required re-operation for non-union, and we discuss causality in these cases. In conclusion, we found that ORIF of condylar neck and base fractures is predictable in real-time surgical practice with respect to functional outcome. However, if imperfectly reduced, there is a small risk of non-union.

Surgical treatment of paediatric fractures of the mandibular condyle: a systematic review of the literature.

This study aims to review surgical treatment in paediatric condylar fractures and describe different types of techniques performed, along with the results obtained from them. A retrospective review was conducted from records of paediatric patients (from one to 17 years old) who sustained fractures of the mandibular condyle and underwent surgical treatment from 2003 to 2023. The number of patients, age, location, and type of fracture, clinical and imaging examinations, treatment methods, intraoperative/postoperative complications, removal of osteosynthesis material, follow up and outcomes were recorded and analysed. A total of 68 patients with 79 fractures were identified. The most common fracture pattern was condylar neck fracture (61.1%). Of the 68 patients who underwent surgical treatment, one had a complication of minimal temporal paraesthesia and another patient had near-complete resorption of the condyle. A total of 55 patients (81%) reported normal dental occlusion, mouth opening (>35 mm), lateral excursions (7-8 mm), TMJ function, no pain, no deviation of the midline or the jaw, and no ankylosis. Thirteen patients (19%) developed an unsatisfactory result, nine patients (13%) had a jaw deviation on mouth opening, four patients (6%) had mandibular retrusion, and seven patients (10%) had signs of TMJ dysfunction. A total of 59 patients (87%) reported bone completely healed with no signs of bone abnormality; seven patients (10%) had shortening of the condylar neck and/or ramus. Surgical treatment can lead to good or excellent results for severely dislocated and displaced condylar fractures in children and can reduce the unsatisfactory results resulting from closed treatment.

The "low preauricular" transmasseteric anteroparotid (TMAP) technique as a standard way to treat extracapsular condylar fractures.

Condylar fracture treatment is a debated topic among maxillofacial surgeons. Various surgical techniques are used today, each one with advantages and disadvantages. The aim of this study is to present and evaluate our technique adopted for treatment of any type of extracapsular condylar fractures. Between 2020 and 2022, 16 condylar fractures were treated. In two patients with bilateral condylar fractures, the present technique was compared to the mini-retromandibular approach. All the patients were checked for clinical and radiological outcomes, facial nerve injury, scar visibility and presence of salivary complications. Dental occlusion was always restored, and facial nerve damage or salivary disorders were not observed. The skin incision, limited to the caudal two-thirds of the auricle, made the scar almost invisible and greatly improved the surgical field in the condylar neck area, facilitating the treatment. The proposed technique provides easier internal fixation for both neck and base condylar fractures with good cosmetic results, ensuring better protection of the facial nerve and parotid gland. The surgical technique described has not shown disadvantages in terms of operational difficulty, results, and complications. This novel surgical technique could represent a new choice in the treatment of extracapsular condylar fractures, although further studies are needed to support this new proposal.

Accuracy of computer-assisted design and manufactured three-dimensional device for condylar positioning in mandibular bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (clinical trial).

INTRODUCTION: Aligning dental arches in orthognathic treatment after undergoing LeFort I osteotomy or bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) relies on occlusal splints, which do not provide precise control over the condylar head. AIM OF THE STUDY: To clinically and radiographically assess the accuracy of computer-assisted design and manufactured (CAD/CAM) surgical guide for condylar positioning in a BSSO. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study recruited 8 patients with a non-syndromic dentofacial deformity who underwent a BSSO. Surgery was planned according to CAD/CAM technology. After osteotomy, a pre-operative guide was used, followed by a repositioning guide. Computed tomography scans were conducted on all patients 1 week pre-operatively, immediately, and 3 months postoperatively. RESULTS: The data are presented as median values with the 25th and 75th percentiles. Eight patients (37.50% females and 62.50% males) between the ages of 19 and 24 underwent BSSOs. The surgical procedure successfully corrected their skeletal deformities. The absolute change between immediate postoperative and pre-operative condylar angle was 0.15 (0.00-0.3). The absolute change between 3 months postoperative and pre-operative condylar angle was 0.20 (0.00-0.30). CONCLUSION: The stability of the condylar head in position is well assessed by 3-dimensional condylar positioning devices designed and manufactured by CAD/CAM technology in the mandibular BSSO.

Effects of sagittal split Ramus osteotomy on condylar position and Ramal orientation in patients with mandibular asymmetry.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of Sagittal Split Ramus Osteotomy (SSRO) on the alignment of the condyle and orientation of the Ramal segment following surgery in patients operated for the correction of mandibular asymmetry. METHODS: A total of 27 patients who underwent SSRO were enrolled in this study, and study groups were defined as asymmetric (study group) and symmetric (control group) using linear measurements from the dental midline based on a three-dimensional coordinate system. Differences on preoperative and postoperative values of anterior (AJS), posterior (PJS) and superior joint spaces (SJS), condylar axial angle (CAA), Sagittal Ramal Angle (SRA), and Coronal Ramal Angles (CRA) of study and control groups were measured and compared. The data was analyzed using the "Wilcoxon signed-ranks test" to identify differences between groups. RESULTS: Differences between preoperative and postoperative values of CRA and SRA of the contralateral group showed statistically significant results with p-values of 0.007 and 0.005, respectively. A statistically significant change in CAA angle was found in the control and deviation groups (p = 0.018 and p = 0.010, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: SSRO has inevitable effects on the condylar and ramal orientation. Individuals with asymmetry require particular attention throughout the planning process and beyond. Conjunctive modalities and modifications should be considered and utilized when necessary. Future studies with larger sample sizes, homogenous follow-up periods, and more comprehensive clinical data are needed to substantiate understanding of the response of the condylar segment. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Orthognathic surgeries inevitably alter the alignment and harmony of temporomandibular structures and may result in change of AJS, PJS, SJS, CAA, SRA, and LRA, which may change the biomechanics of joint and lead to several complications like temporomandibular disorders. Especially in cases with midline asymmetry needs special consideration from planning till the end of the treatment to achieve best results. In severe cases, conjunctive modalities and modifications and other alternatives such as inverted-L osteotomies should be considered.

Condylar resorption post mandibular distraction osteogenesis in craniofacial microsomia: A retrospective study.

The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of condylar resorption in craniofacial microsomia (CFM) patients following mandibular distraction osteogenesis (MDO). Patients with unilateral type-IIa and type-IIb CFM, who had completed MDO and mandibular distractor extraction (MDE), were recruited. The height and volume of the condyle were measured on three-dimension models created by the analysis of computed tomography (CT) data. Normality analysis was performed using the Shapiro-Wilk test. Data for the affected and unaffected sides were compared using the paired t-test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Data for both type-IIa and type-IIb CFM were compared using the independent-samples t-test or Mann-Whitney U test. The Pearson or Spearman correlation was used to determine the correlations of condylar resorption rate with related measurements. In total, 48 type-IIa and 48 type-IIb CFM patients were included. The condylar resorption rate in type-IIa CFM (0.35 ± 0.32) was significantly associated with the height of the condyle (r = 0.776, p < 0.001) and distraction distance (r = 0.447, p = 0.001), while the condylar resorption rate in type-IIb CFM (0.49 ± 0.46) was significantly associated with the height of the condyle (r = 0.924, p < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in condylar resorption rate between type-IIa and type-IIb CFM (p = 0.075). In addition to occlusal changes, no other negative symptoms of the TMJ were observed with condylar resorption. Condylar resorption was evident in CFM patients following mandibular distraction osteogenesis, and the condylar resorption rate showed a relationship with distraction distance and condylar height.

Evaluation of the mandibular condyles trabecular structure in patients with severe class III pattern: a computed tomography (CT) fractal analysis study.

Class III malocclusion is a combination of dental and skeletal disorders that causes discrepancies in occlusion. Malocclusion can affect the structure of the Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) resulting in many problems, one of which is affecting the internal structure of the bone. This study aimed to examine the morphological features of class III patients' trabecular structure of the mandibular condyle in comparison with normal class I individuals using fractal analysis (FA). To study the internal structure of the mandibular condyle bone, Computed Tomography (CT) scans of 45 severe class III patients (age: 16-46) who were the candidates for orthognathic surgery were selected and matched by age and sex with 45 normal class I individuals. The trabecular bone structure of the left and right mandibular condyles in three CT planes of the study group and control group were evaluated employing the FA. The result of the present study indicated that the fractal dimensions (FD) values of class III patients were lower than those of the normal class I individuals in axial (class I: 1.31 ± 0.02, class III: 1.28 ± 0.02), sagittal (class I: 1.25 ± 0.03, class III: 1.19 ± 0.08), and coronal (class I: 1.5 ± 0.06, class III: 1.45 ± 0.07) planes (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences between the FD values of the males and females. The intra-group evaluation revealed that there was no correlation between age and FD values. No evidence of laterality was found regarding the FD values of the right and left condyles. Given the noticeable differences between the FD values, it can be implied that severe class III malocclusion may affect the trabecular pattern of the cancellous bone of the mandibular condyle compared to class I individuals. Therefore, due to the altered trabecular structure, clinicians should be cautious when planning treatments for these patients.

Three-dimensional analysis of the morphological changes of the craniofacial jaw and condyle in patients with idiopathic condylar resorption.

In this study we aim to describe the three-dimensional analysis of condylar deformation of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and morphological changes of the craniofacial jaw in patients with idiopathic condylar resorption (ICR). We also compare those with a control group that is healthy and matched for age and gender. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and cephalometric radiograph (X-ray) were conducted and analysis of craniofacial measurement, condylar width, length, height, and condylar axial angle changes were done three-dimensionally using ProPlan CMF™ 3.0 software (Materialise). The craniofacial jaw measurements of the ICR patients were significantly different than the control group and the significant changes in the mandible can be seen in ICR patients according to the results of this study. The results of smaller condylar width and height in the ICR group reflect the smaller size of the condyle compared with an unaffected condyle. Also, both right and left sagittal condylar angles (p = 0.001 and p = 0.003), respectively, and axial condylar angles (p = 0.01 and p = 0.02), respectively, displayed significant differences between the two groups. In conclusion, the vertical development of the condyle decreased along with reduced measurements in the width and height of the condyle in ICR patients, and differences in the morphology of the craniofacial jaw and condylar angles were observed between study groups.

[MRI evaluation of condylar bone regeneration after temporomandibular joint disc reduction and suture and analysis of factors affecting bone regeneration].

Objective: To evaluate the MRI manifestations of condylar bone regeneration after disc reduction and suture for anterior disc displacement without reduction (ADDWoR) patients and to analyze the relevant factors affecting bone regeneration. Methods: A total of 61 patients of 75 joints with ADDWoR who attended the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery of the Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology of Nanjing Medical University from April 2020 to December 2021 were enrolled in the study. The characteristics of MRI condylar bone regeneration were analyzed before and after surgery (follow-up for 6 months or more), and logistic regression analysis was performed on the influencing factors of bone regeneration. Results: The new bone formation of the condyle was found in 28 patients, with age of (20.2±4.9) years. However, there were 33 patients that had no condylar bone regeneration, with age of (41.9±17.5) years. A total of 35 joints in this study were found new bone formation. There were 16 joints (45.7%) had new bone formation on the posterior slope of the condyle, 10 joints (28.6%) around the condyle, 6 joints (17.1%) on the anterior slope of the condyle, and only 3 joints (8.6%) on the top of the condyle. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age, preoperative disc length and degree of condylar bone resorption correlated with postoperative condylar bone regeneration(P<0.05). Patients younger than 30 years with non-shortened preoperative disc length and less condylar bone resorption have a higher probability of new bone formation. Conclusions: The condyle has bone regeneration capacity after correcting the abnormal relationship between disc and condyle, and young age, non-shortened preoperative disc length and less condylar bone resorption are conducive to postoperative condylar bone regeneration.