The correlation between direction and amount of retrusive movement and condyle position and joint space.

OBJECTIVE: The direction and amount of retrusive movement may be correlated with the amount of joint space and the maximum intercuspal position of the condyle. The aim of this study was to identify any such correlation using an ultrasonic jaw motion analyzer and digital volumetric tomographic (DVT) scans.

METHODS: Thirty-five dental students were selected as subjects. DVT scans were obtained using a next-generation i-CAT CBCT unit, and the direction and amount of retrusive movement were measured with a 3-D analyzer.

RESULTS: Spearman Rho correlation tests showed no correlation between the amount of retrusive movement and the condyle position and joint space on either the right or left side.

DISCUSSION: There is sufficient reason to suggest that retrusive movement of the condyle does not occur in isolation but is influenced by glenoid fossa bone morphology.