Mandibular asymmetry in patients with temporomandibular disorder: comparative study between posteroanterior teleradiographs (pa) and panoramic radiography

Objective: The aim of the study was to verify the relationship between the predominant side of orofacial pain of a temporomandibular origin and facial asymmetry. Methods: Fifty-two patients a acted by temporomandibular disorders from which data were collected on the results of the RDC/TMD evaluation related to pain. Anatomic points (ANS – Anterior nasal spine; LF – Lingual foramen; CP – Coronoid process; GO – Gonial angle) were identified on panoramic radiographs and frontal teleradiographs and bilateral measurements were made. Results: No statistically significant differences were found between the sides with/without pain (p=0,560), but a tendency was found for patients with unilateral pain to have larger measurement differences in the comparison of the two sides. However, when using only the difference from one side to the other in cases of bilateral pain, a significant difference in CP/ANS (Coronoid process to anterior nasal spine) distance was found on the panoramic radiographs (p=0,044). Conclusion: Correlations were found between the cephalometric measurements on the two radiographic exams, but the measurements on the images did not demonstrate an association with the predominant side of pain.