Comparison of condylar translation in hyperdivergent and hypodivergent patients: a pilot study

Abstract

Introduction: The present pilot study aims to compare the condylar translation between patients with hyperdivergent and hypodivergent facial pattern. Methods: after analysis of photographs and cephalometric data, sample obtained was divided into two groups: hyperdivergent (n = 12) and hypodivergent (n = 12). For evaluation of condylar translation, temporomandibular joint planigraphys with maximum mouth opening and maximum intercuspal were performed. Subsequently, the tracing of maximum mouth opening in the articulation of each planigraphy was carried out. Metric values were obtained from the measurement of the distance between the point in the lower region of the articular eminence and the point in the most anterior superior mandibular condyle. Results: no statistically significant differences were found between the groups compared. However, the values obtained for horizontal translation performed by the right mandibular condyle were 6.00 mm for the hyperdivergent group, and 3.25 mm in the hypodivergent group. For condyle on the opposite side the horizontal translation averages were 5.66 mm for the hyperdivergent group, and of 4.50 mm for the hypodivergent group. Conclusions: the divergence between the means suggests that hyperdivergent patients show higher condylar translation in both condyles when compared with hypodivergent patients. Further studies should be conducted aiming to elucidate the relationship among facial pattern, cortical thickness condylar and condylar translation.