Verification of the symmetry of the mandibular ramus in patients with temporomandibular disorders and asymptomatic individuals: a comparative study.

Some studies have reported that mandibular ramus asymmetries are more pronounced in patients with temporomandibular disorders. The symmetry of the mandibular ramus was verified in a group of patients with temporomandibular disorders and compared with that of a control group of asymptomatic individuals. Heights of the mandibular ramus and of the condyle and gonial angles were measured from panoramic radiographs. In the comparison of numerical values between dysfunction and asymptomatic groups there was no significant difference; when comparing sides within each group, there was a significant difference in gonial angle in the asymptomatic group. Using the formula: (R-L)/(R+L) x 100%, in the comparison between groups, there was a significant difference as to condylar height. With a subdivision in each group, having the value of 3% to calculated symmetry as a reference, there was no significant difference between groups. Comparing gender or age intervals in both groups, there was no significant difference. It was concluded that there was significant difference in calculated symmetry only as to condylar height between disorder patients and asymptomatic individuals.