[Inclination of the temporomandibular eminence and craniomandibular disorders].

The articular eminence angle of 30 patients with TMJ dysfunctions was measured on cephalometric X-ray and compared with the joints of 30 patients without TMJ disorders. The inclination of the posterior slope of the articular eminence was 52.9 degrees with a mean difference compared to the control group of 1.7 degrees. The vertical parameters appeared of less importance than the antero-posterior to produce TMJ dysfunction. In the skeletal class II group a steeper inclination, with a mean difference compared to the control group of 8.6 degrees, was seen in the symptomatic patients. The study of this angle could have a diagnostic and prognostic utility in the treatment of dysfunctional class II malocclusions.