The effect of mandibular condyle size on disc displacement and gender relationship

Objective: Our aim in this study is to analyze the association between anterior disc displacement and mandibular condyle size. It was also aimed to examine the influence of gender factor on condyle size.Material and Methods: Images of patients who underwent magnetic resonance imaging of the temporomandibular joint in the radiology department between January 2018 and November 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. The articular disc was evaluated in terms of displacement on sagittal oblique images in closed and open mouth positions. Following, anteroposterior and mediolateral dimensions were measured at the head of the mandibular condyle.Results: Among the 200 individuals in the study, 44 were male and 156 were female. A total of 400 temporomandibular joints of 200 patients were analyzed. In 279 joints, the disc was in its normal position, and there was no disc displacement. There was disc displacement with reduction in 54 joints and disc displacement without reduction in 67 joints. The anteroposterior and mediolateral sizes of the mandibular condyle were higher in the group with normal disc position compared to the groups with disc displacement. In the disc displacement without reduction group, the mean values of anteroposterior and mediolateral dimensions were the lowest (p=0.001). Male individuals had a mandibular condyle anteroposterior size of 6.706±2.588 cm while female subjects had a size of 5.786±1.288 cm, which was significantly lower in females (p=0.001). Mandibular condyle mediolateral size was 18.779±2.848 cm in male subjects, 17.016±2.290 cm in female subjects, and was significantly lower in females (p=0.001).Conclusion: We determined that the mandibular condyle size was smaller in joints with anterior disc displacement than in joints with normal disc position. In addition, we observed that the condyle size was significantly lower in females than in males. Low mandibular condyle size may be a risk factor for anterior disc displacement.