Abstract
The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between the coincidence of the right and left condylar translation and the length of horizontal condylar pathways in groups with temporomandibular (TM) joint dysfunction (TMD group) and TM joint normal function (normal group).
The length of horizontal condylar pathways of the TMD group was longer than that of the normal group in habitual opening movement. However, the comparison of the length of the right and left condylar translation pathways was not significantly different. The coincidence of the right and left condylar translation movement of the TMD group in the habitual opening movement had more variance than that of the normal group. In order to determine whether the length of horizontal condylar pathways relates to the coincidence of the right and left condylar translation, a linear correlation analysis was performed. The length of horizontal condylar pathways and variance of the right and left condylar translation in TMD group correlated significantly (p<0.01).
It was suggested that the TMD group had a variance in the right and left condylar translation movement and longer horizontal condylar pathways during habitual opening movement due to the loosening of TM joint structures.
