Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Condyle is the growth center of the mandible, and the size of the condyle is closely associated with the mandibular shape; while a variety of joint diseases can lead to changes in condylar shape.
OBJECTIVE: To measure the condyle volume and surface area in young Chinese people with Angle’s class Ⅰ malocclusion by cone-beam CT (CBCT), and to provide a quantitative standards for volumetric and surface measurements of the mandibular condyle in Chinese population.
METHODS: Seventy young patients with Angle’s class Ⅰ malocclusion were chosen from the Affiliated Hospital of Stomatology, Chongqing Medical University (age range: 18-28 years; 34 males and 36 females). Inclusive criteria were as follows: patients with symmetrical faces, “↓” open type, opening was normal, no joint snapping, pain and other symptoms. All patients received CBCT examination, the CT slice used through the Mimics 10.0 for three-dimensional reconstruction of the condyle to measure the condyle volume, surface area and shape index (ratio of volume and surface area).
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The condyle volume and surface area in male patients were greater significantly than those in female patients (P < 0.01). There were no difference between the left and right condyle in the volume and surface area (P  > 0.05). The shape index had no difference between male and female patients as well as between the left and right condyle. It is found that patients with symmetrical faces and no joint symptoms of malocclusion Angle's class Ⅰmalocclusion have symmetrical condyle.