Contralateral condylar degenerative changes in patients with unilateral mandibular condylar hyperplasia.

Unilateral mandibular condylar hyperplasia (UCH) is one of the causes of mandibular asymmetry, leading to both aesthetic concerns and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. This observational study investigated the association between active UCH and degenerative changes in the contralateral TMJ. Using a standardized radiographic scoring system, 105 patients with active UCH, 23 with non-UCH facial asymmetry, and 23 healthy controls were compared. Significantly higher degenerative scores were found in the contralateral TMJs of UCH patients compared to their ipsilateral (affected) side (median: 1.00 vs 0.33; Z = -6.458; P < 0.001) and to control group's non-deviated side (median difference : 0.33; U = 839; false discovery rate P = 0.003). UCH patients also exhibited a longer duration of symptoms (median: 3.6 vs 2.0 years; P = 0.029) and a higher prevalence of joint clicking and pain, particularly on the affected and bilateral (all P < 0.05) side. Active UCH is associated with pronounced contralateral TMJ degeneration, underscoring the necessity for bilateral joint evaluation in clinical management to mitigate long-term complications.