Three-dimensional characteristics of temporomandibular joint morphology and condylar movement in patients with mandibular asymmetry

BACKGROUND: Investigating the morphological and functional effects on mandibular asymmetry (MA) is important not only to understand the developmental process of masticatory dysfunction, but also to provide suggestions for evidence-based occlusal treatment. AIM: To evaluate three-dimensional temporomandibular joint (TMJ) morphology and its relationship to asymmetrical condylar movement in MA patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty subjects were divided into MA and control groups (n = 25 each) according to a menton deviation of 4 mm from the mid-sagittal plane. TMJ morphology (condyle, glenoid fossa and TMJ spaces) were evaluated using a three-dimensional analysis programme. Three-dimensional condylar movements (from the sagittal and horizontal planes) were recorded and measured by computerized axiography on protrusion. Side-to-side asymmetry was measured for each parameter. The asymmetry index value was calculated to assess the correlation between TMJ morphology and condylar movement. For the statistical analysis, Wilcoxon’s signed-ranked test, the Mann–Whitney U test, and Spearman’s rank correlation were used. RESULTS: Glenoid fossa volume, surface area, anteroposterior length, and condylar volume were significantly smaller, and articular eminence angle, glenoid fossa, and condylar axial angle were significantly larger, on the shifted side of the MA group when compared with those on the non-shifted side and the mean values of the control group (P < 0.05). The TMJ spaces of the MA group showed no bilateral difference but were significantly narrower in the medial, superior, and anterior joint spaces when compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Condylar path length and sagittal condylar inclination were significantly asymmetrical. The asymmetry index of the condyle volume was significantly correlated with that of the condylar path length (P = 0.005). The asymmetry index of the glenoid fossa volume and the articular eminence angle were significantly correlated with that of the sagittal condylar inclination (P = 0.009 and P = 0.002, respectively), and the asymmetry index of glenoid fossa volume was significantly correlated with the bilateral transverse condylar inclination (P = 0.006 and P = 0.016, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Morphological asymmetry of the TMJ is significantly different between the shifted and non-shifted sides and is closely related to functional asymmetry of condylar movement in MA patients. (350/350). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40510-022-00445-0.