Association Between Gender, Age, and Skeletal Class With Mandibular Condyle Morphology: A Retrospective Study

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to examine the impact of demographic variables on mandibular condyle morphology, a critical factor in orthodontic treatment and maxillofacial surgery. The investigation focuses on the relationship between gender, age, and skeletal class with the morphological dimensions of the condyle, utilizing panoramic radiography as a diagnostic tool.

METHODOLOGY

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 150 panoramic radiographs from individuals stratified into six groups according to gender and skeletal class. Skeletal classes were determined using Steiner and McNamara cephalometry. The Kodak Carestream software (Rochester, NY: Carestream Health) was employed to measure condylar height, width, and morphology. Statistical evaluations included ANOVA, correlation assessments, and multivariate binary logistic regression to discern the differences and associations among the variables studied.

RESULTS

The findings revealed notable differences in condylar dimensions between genders across different skeletal classes, with males typically presenting larger condylar dimensions than females. The data also showed a moderate positive correlation between condyle height and width. Round-shaped condyles were the most common form found, with significant gender differences observed in certain skeletal classes. Additionally, logistic regression analysis identified significant associations between gender, age, and condylar width and shape.

CONCLUSIONS

The study concludes that demographic factors, such as gender and age, significantly affect mandibular condyle morphology. These factors should be carefully considered in clinical evaluations using panoramic radiography to enhance the precision of diagnoses and the effectiveness of subsequent orthodontic and maxillofacial treatments. The results provide valuable insights for healthcare professionals in regions where more advanced imaging techniques may not be readily available.

Characterization of Mandibular Border Movements and Mastication in Each Skeletal Class Using 3D Electromagnetic Articulography: A Preliminary Study

Mandibular movement recording is relevant for the planning and evaluation of mandibular function. These movements can include mandibular border movements (MBM) or mastication. Our objective was to characterize the kinematics of MBM and mastication among skeletal classes I, II, and III in the three spatial planes. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with 30 participants. Instructions were provided on how to form Posselt's envelope and to perform masticatory. After data processing, we obtained numerical values for the areas, trajectories, and ranges of MBM that formed Posselt's envelope and the values for speed, masticatory frequency, and the areas of each masticatory cycle. Significant differences were found in the area of Posselt's envelope in the horizontal plane between skeletal classes I and III and in the range of right laterality between skeletal classes II and III. Mastication showed significant differences in the area of the masticatory cycles in the horizontal plane between classes I and III and between classes II and III. In conclusion, there were differences in MBM and mastication between skeletal classes III and I in the horizontal plane. This study supports the need to establish normal values for mandibular kinematics in skeletal class III.

Intraindividual Left-Right Side Differences of Sagittal Condylar Inclination (SCI) in Different Skeletal Classes

(1) Background: The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the most complex and one of the most important joints in the human body due to its essential roles in mastication, swallowing, breathing and speech. Several instruments have been used to track mandibular movements and register the characteristic parameters of the TMJ, among which condylography instruments are validated for the accurate clinical registration of the condylar path. Sagittal condylar inclination (SCI) is one of the most important parameters, together with the Bennett angle and the immediate side shift, used for articular settings in the process of oral rehabilitation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the differences between the left and right SCI and to assess whether the differences were statistically significant for skeletal class, age, gender, dentate status, TMJ pathology or parafunctional habits. (2) Methods: One hundred and forty consecutive patients, fully dentate or partially edentulous, and with angle class I, II and II, were recruited. Their left and right SCIs were determined with an ultrasonic jaw tracking device. Each subject had to make three protrusive movements and three right and left laterotrusive movements. The software calculated the SCI from the mean of the protrusive movements. (3) Results: The mean values obtained for the right and left SCI were 34.68° (±12.44°) and 34.94° (±13.23°), respectively, with no statistically significant differences between the left and right values for gender, dentate status, TMJ disorders or parafunctional habits. Skeletal class III subjects registered lower SCI means, which were statistically significant for the left SCI. (4) Conclusions: For an optimal functionalization of prosthetic restorations and for an ideal treatment plan, the registration of both the left and right paths of the condyles and the articular disc should be taken into consideration.

Assessing cervical spine and craniofacial morphology in Class II and Class III malocclusions: A geometric morphometric approach

To compare craniofacial and cervical morphology between skeletal Classes II and III applying Geometric Morphometric Methods (GMM). Twenty-six cervical and craniofacial landmarks of 40 Class II and 39 Class III individuals were digitalized on lateral cephalograms. Procrustes ANOVA, generalized Procrustes, principal component analyses, and thin-plate spline function were applied to assess the pattern of shape variation of craniofacial structure and the cervical spine in relation to skeletal classes. Compared with Class III, Class II individuals presented a maxillary protrusion, mandibular retrusion, shorter mandibular corpus, posterior mandibular ramus rotation, anterior cranial base rotation, and a smaller centroid size. Furthermore, a forward and smaller cervical spine were observed. With GMM, the shape and size differences between skeletal classes can be analyzed visually and numerically.

Sagittal lip positions in different skeletal malocclusions: a cephalometric analysis

BACKGROUND

The objectives of this paper are to (1) study use of soft tissue analyses advocated by Steiner, Ricketts, Burstone, Sushner and Holdway to develop soft tissue cephalometric norms as baseline data for sagittal lip position in Northeast Chinese adult population, (2) compare the sagittal lip positions in different skeletal malocclusions and (3) compare the sagittal lip positions in Northeast Chinese adults with other reported populations.

METHODS

Lateral cephalometric radiographs of subjects were taken in natural head position. Radiographs were manually traced and five reference lines - Sushner, Steiner, Burstone, Holdway and Ricketts, were used. The linear distance between the tip of the lips and the five reference lines were measured. Statistical analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 21. Descriptive analysis was done for each variable for each subject. Coefficient of variation between lip positions as assessed by reference lines was determined. Post hoc Tukey's test was used for comparison of the mean cephalometric values of three skeletal malocclusions. The level of significance for the analysis was set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

The findings showed significant difference in the sagittal lip positions in different skeletal malocclusions. There was variation in consistent reference line in each skeletal malocclusion. The S2 line was the most consistent reference line in skeletal class I and class II group. The B line was the most consistent line in skeletal class III. In skeletal class II group, upper lips were the most protrusive and lower lips were retrusive than in skeletal class I and class III groups. In case of skeletal class III group, upper lips were retrusive and lower lips were more protrusive than in skeletal class I and class II groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The sagittal lip positions were found to be associated with the skeletal malocclusion pattern. Northeast Chinese population has protrusive upper and lower lip in comparison to Caucasians. Each skeletal malocclusion group showed different preferable reference lines for analysis of sagittal lip position.

Inter- relationships between orthodontics and posture: basic theories

The first part of the present report deals mainly with the concept of posture - both in static and in dynamic sense - its relationships with equilibrium, weight balance and motion, its phylogenic origin, reasons why any orthodontic professional should be aware of it; moreover, different profile types and their connections with one's own skeletal class are briefly discussed. Two more papers are following on the subject.