Abstract

Vertical condylar asymmetry (VCA) is considered a risk factor for the development of a temporomandibular disorder (TMD). VCA is determined by comparing the vertical condylar height between the left and right condyle. Several techniques have been developed to evaluate this asymmetry, and the most common among them are developed by Kjellberg et al. (1994) and Habets et al. (1988). The objective of this study was to evaluate the similarity of the Habets' and Kjellberg's methods with regard to these results and analyze the VCA results of the temporomandibular joint in patients with signs and symptoms of TMD. We analyzed 48 patients between 12 and 65 years of age. In each patient, the percentage of condylar symmetry according to the Kjellberg's and Habets' indexes was established and related to sex, age, and signs and symptoms of TMD at admission compared with patients who are symmetrical and asymmetrical. Finally, we compared the results of two indexes. According to Habets' index, 70.8% of patients were classified as asymmetric, compared with Kjellberg index where it was only 54.2%. No statistically significant difference was found between the severity of signs and symptoms of TMD and sex, age, Habets' index, and Kjellberg's index. We also found no statistically significant difference between patient age and Kjellberg index, but between age and Habets’ index, younger patients were symmetrical. We conclude that it is conceivable that the presence of VCA is not a risk factor for TMD development.