Aim: The characteristics of the temporomandibular
joint (TMJ) are modifed as a consequence of different
factors. The sagittal skeletal pattern has been related to
the dimensions of the osseous components of the TMJ.
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the
relationship between the dimension of the mandibular
condyle and the glenoid cavity and the sagittal skeletal
pattern in adolescents.
Methods: 40 adolescent patients, between 11 and 19
years old, 12 males and 28 females, were evaluated.
They were divided into three groups according to the
ANB angle: 15 Class I (ANB 0 ° - 4 °), 15 Class II (>
4°) and 10 Class III (<0 °). The width and length of the
condyle and the width and depth of the glenoid cavity
were measured using computed tomography images.
By the t-Student test, the means of the measures of the
right and left side were compared. Through the ANOVA
test, the means of the measurements of the condyle
and the glenoid cavity were analyzed according to the
vertical skeletal pattern and the post-hoc Bonferroni
test was used to identify the group correlations.
Results: No signifcant difference was found between
the right and left side averages, so the mean between
sides was used for the analysis. A correlation was
obtained between the depth of the glenoid cavity and
the sagittal skeletal pattern (P = 0.009), was deeper
in Class III and less in Class II. The rest of the variables
studied did not present a statistically signifcant
correlation with the sagittal skeletal pattern.
Conclusions: The depth of the glenoid cavity is greater
in Class III subjects and less deep in those Class II.
The dimensions of the condyle and the width of the
glenoid cavity did not show a statistically signifcant
relationship with the sagittal skeletal pattern in the
adolescents studie
