Introduction:

Condylar resorption of the temporomandibular joint after orthognathic surgery is a clinical entity with functional and aesthetic consequences for the patient. The determination of the risk of condylar resorption in the presurgical stage remains unclear. This article, descriptive in its nature, sought to determine anatomorphological variations of the temporomandibular joint in patients undergoing orthognathic surgery.

Material and methods:

Cone Beam CT scans were analysed in two operative stages, one month before surgery (T0) and three months after (T1). Joint spaces, cortical widths and sites with total resorption were analysed on 58 joints.

Results:

A statistically significant mean decrease in cortical thickness (p < 0.05) was observed for the different sites in the coronal and sagittal planes. All joint spaces showed reduced thickness in the sagittal plane, statistically significant for the superior and posterior spaces.

Conclusions:

Sites with a lower cortical width on T0 seemed more susceptible to resorption. The presurgical evaluation of the temporomandibular joint plays a fundamental role in preventing condylar resorption in patients undergoing orthognathic surgery.

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