HORIZONTAL CONDYLAR PATH IN PATIENTS WITH DISK DISPLACEMENT WITH REDUCTION

In 32 patients with disk displacement with reduction, the condylar pat h in the horizontal plane during opening and closing movements of the mandible were analyzed with a computerized axiograph. The horizontal c ondylar tracings during opening were divided into 15 types. There was no clear relationship between the types and clinical symptoms. The spe cific correspondence of the types were revealed between the right and left joint. In 21 of 32 patients, the condyle on one side deviated med ially, while the contralateral condyle deviated laterally at maximum o pening. In most of the patients showing medio-lateral condylar deviati on at maximum opening, a straight condylar path was observed from the maximum opening to the position just before the closing click. In some of the patients, the type of horizontal condylar tracing during openi ng was related to the displacement pattern of the disk assessed by mag netic resonance imaging (MRI).