Condylar and ramal vertical asymmetry in patients with different vertical skeletal patterns

Objective: The objective of the present study was to evaluate condylar, ramal and condylar+ramal mandibular vertical asymmetry in a group of patients with different vertical skeletal patterns.

Methods: Mandibular condylar and ramal measurements of 104 patients were performed on panoramic radiographic images and asymmetry indices were obtained according to the Habets’ formula. The study groups consisted of 35 hypodivergent, 34 normodivergent and 35 hyperdivergent patients. Data were statistically analysed by means of two-way ANOVA, Kruskal–Wallis and Pearson chi square tests.

Results: Ramal height was significantly higher in the hypodivergent group (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found between the vertical skeletal pattern groups in relation to the asymmetry indices (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: Condylar asymmetry values were found to be higher than a 3% threshold value in all groups, but no significant differences were observed between the groups. The effect of the vertical skeletal pattern on vertical mandibular asymmetry was found to be insignificant.