TMT INTERNAL DERANGEMENT AND ADOLESCENT CRANIOFACIAL MORPHOLOGY - A PILOT-STUDY

Intrinsic and extrinsic factors influence the growth of mandibular con dylar cartilage. Local environmental factors, such as temporomandibula r disc displacement, may alter condylar cartilage growth resulting in facial changes. The aim of this study was to determine if there was an association between identifiably altered craniofacial morphology and disc displacement. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was employed to de termine disc position in 25 preorthodontic adolescent patients (mean a ge 12.8 years, range 10 to 17 years). Magnetic resonance imaging and l ateral cephalometric radiography were performed with the teeth held in centric occlusion by means of a polyvinylsiloxane bite registration. Radiographs were traced and variability between tracings within patien ts was insignificant for all variables (p > 0.04) except Co-Go, S-Go, and SN/Go-Me (p < 0.01). For each patient, 10 linear, 4 angular, and 3 ratio measurements were compared with an age-and sex-matched populati on in the Craniofacial Growth Series. Multiple regression analysis sho wed positive and negative associations between disc displacement and c ephalometric variables. R-square value was .91 for the left TMJ and .8 2 for the right. Disc displacement in an adolescent population may be associated with altered craniofacial morphology.