Range of Sagittal Movement of the Mandibular Condyles and Inclination of the Condyle Path in Children and Adults

Abstract

The movements of the mandibular condyles in the sagittal plane and the inclination of the condyle path were studied with a roentgencephalometric method in children aged 7 and 10 years and in adults. In both children and adults the condyles moved, on the average, forwards and downwards from intercuspal position to postural position. The inferior movement was positively correlated with the inclination of the condyle path recorded between intercuspal and 5 mm protruded positions. The anterior movement of the condyles to maximal protrusion was the same in all the age groups, but the movement to maximal opening was somewhat smaller in 7-year old children than in 10-year old children and adults. In all the age groups the condyles were situated more anteriorly and superiorly in maximal opening than in maximal protrusion. The inferior movements of the condyles from intercuspal position to protruded positions and to maximal opening increased as did the inclination of the condyle path with age. Neither in children nor in adults was any correlation found between the inclination of the condyle path and the inclination of the incisal path. Neither was any correlation found between the inclination of the condyle path and the number of tooth contacts on the working and non-working sides.