Dimensões das ATM em modelos virtuais tridimensionais obtidos por tomografia computadorizada de feixe cônico como determinantes do dimorfismo sexual

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to relate the dimensions of the mandibular condyle with sex and age by means of three-dimensional models obtained by cone-beam computed tomography images (CBCT). Material and Methods: 120 CBCT examinations were selected belonging to the archives of the ICTUNESP Clinic of Radiology. They were divided into five age groups, each containing 12 individuals of each sex. Virtual three-dimensional models were then created and two measurements from each mandibular condyle were taken: anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML). The t-test was used for independent samples to compare the measurements. Results: The AP measurements only of the left side showed a statistical difference between the sexes between 31 to 40 years of age; in the ML measurements, there were statistical differences between the sexes in all age groups on both sides, except in the age group above 60 years. Conclusion: The ML measurements of the mandibular condyles, regardless of side, showed significant statistical differences between sexes and age groups, with a tendency to greater values in males, and may be a determinant factor of sexual dimorphism.