CONDYLAR HEIGHT ON PANORAMIC RADIOGRAPHS - A METHODOLOGIC STUDY WITH A CLINICAL-APPLICATION

The aim of this study was to develop and apply a reliable method of me asuring the effects of condylar lesions quantitatively on panoramic ra diographs. Three different types of machines were tested. Two dry skul ls were exposed in six positions in each machine, and the relative siz e of the condyle in relation to ramus height was calculated. The resul ts showed good validity for the reference points used. The head positi on did not contribute to the variation in the measurements, but the ty pe of panoramic machine had some influence. It was concluded that the method may be applied when calculating condylar ratios, provided that the same panoramic machine is used. The relative height of the condyle in relation to ramus height was measured bilaterally in three groups of children, with either normal of postnormal occlusion or with juveni le chronic arthritis (JCA), to detect possible asymmetries and define differences in the relative condylar height. The JCA group had a signi ficantly shorter relative condylar height, and asymmetries were common er than in the other two groups.