The panoramic radiographic study of the vertical mandibular asymmetry of in the TMJ disorder patients

To evaluate of the relationship between the TMJ disorder and the vertical mandibular asymmetry, the author analyzed the differences between condylar heights, ramus heights and mandibular heights of both sides. All measurements were performed with a digital micrometer on the panoramic radiographs of 36 TMJ disorder patients and 30 normal control group. The differences were expressed in millimeters and percentage using the following formula; [(R-L)/(R+L)] X 100%. The results were as follows: 1. The condylar height difference was greater of in patient group (1.86±1.66 mm) than that of in control group (1.22±0.85 mm) (p<0.05). 2. The ramus height difference and ramus height ratio difference of patient group (4.52±3.70 mm, 4.39±3.49%) were greater than those of control group (2.64±2.13 mm, 2.46±2.02 %) (p<0.05, p<0.01). 3. The mandibular height difference and mandibular height ratio difference of patient group (4.32±3.52 mm, 3.59±2.81 %) were greater than those of contro group(2.57±2.46 mm, 2.01 (1.95%) (p<0.05). 4. The ratio difference in condylar height to ramus height and condylar height to mandibular height of patient group (5.01±4.13%, 3.36±2.88%) were greater than those of control group (2.33±1.78%, 1.90±1.40%) (p<0.01).