Double contours and craniofacial morphology.

This study was done to try to clarify the relationship between double contours and craniofacial morphology. The study sample included 56 pre-orthodontic patients with signs and symptoms of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. A comparison of craniofacial structures was done on 32 subjects with bilateral condylar bone change (BBC group: 28 female and 4 male) and 24 subjects with no condylar bone change (NBC group: 21 female and 3 male). The BBC showed significantly greater antegonial and ramus notch depths, as well as significantly more retruded mandibles, shorter ramus heights, and larger mandibular plane angles than the NBC. BBC subjects with bilateral double contours showed significantly more retruded mandibles, larger antegonial notch depth, and shorter lengths from the Sella to the Articulare than BBC subjects with no double contours. The study showed that important relationships exist between the presence of double contours and mandibular morphology and TMJ position.