Improved Visualization and Assessment of Condylar Position in the Glenoid Fossa for Different Occlusions: A CBCT Study.

INTRODUCTION: The position of the condyle in the glenoid fossa plays an important role in the stability of occlusion after orthodontic treatment. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) provides an optimal imaging of the osseous components of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and give a full size truly three-dimensional (3D) description in real anatomical size. The present study aimed to visualize and compare the position of condyle in the glenoid fossa for different occlusions by using CBCT Materials and methods: Cone beam computed tomographic images of 45 subjects, aged 18 to 42 years, were evaluated. Subjects were equally divided into three groups according to the A point, nasion, B point (ANB) angle.

RESULTS: In the sagittal plane, condyle is positioned nonconcen-trically; positioned anteriosuperiorly in class I and III occlusions and lies posteriosuperiorly in class II occlusion. In the frontal plane, condyle is positioned centrally (mediolaterally) in all the three types of occlusions. In the axial plane, the parameters showed significant difference between the different occlusions. No statistical significant distinction could be made in the position of the condyle when comparing the right and left joints.

CONCLUSION: The position of condyle in glenoid fossa influences sagittal, transverse, and vertical relationships of the jaws which eventually contribute to development of various malocclusions. Nonconcentricity is the feature of the condyle in the sagittal plane in different malocclusions.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: An important consideration in orthodontic treatment is the recognition of the importance that the dentition should be in harmony with the related musculoskeletal structures. Therefore, the condylar position is an important concern in maintaining or restoring temporomandibular harmony with the dentition and the position of the condyle in the glenoid fossa plays an important role in the stability of occlusion after orthodontic treatment.