The Role of Maxillofacial Structure and Malocclusion on Condylar Displacement in Maximum Intercuspation and Centric Relation in Patients Seeking Orthodontic Treatment-A Scoping Review

J Clin Med. 2023 Jan 15;12(2):689. doi: 10.3390/jcm12020689.

Abstract

Background: Available knowledge about malocclusion and cephalometric variables and their connection with an increased risk of condylar displacement (CD) is scarce. This article aims to present current information on the relationship between centric relation-maximum intercuspal position discrepancies and maxillofacial morphology and malocclusion in patients seeking orthodontic treatment as well as to identify those who require expanded diagnostic evaluation for this disorder.

Methods: This review analyzed the PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Scopus electronic databases up to February 2022. Keywords and additional manual searches were performed. Literature selection was based the PRISMA-ScR checklist. The JBI Critical Appraisal Tool assessed the methodological quality of included studies.

Results: The databases search provided 2321 studies. A total of 10 studies were included in this review after eligibility criteria and JBI assessment. This review was separated into five parts that evaluated CD correlations depending on the following: maxillofacial structure in different vertical and sagittal skeletal patterns, vertical, horizontal, and transverse malocclusions.

Conclusions: A hyperdivergent facial skeletal structure is a risk factor for increased CD, particularly in the vertical dimension. The condylar processes are usually displaced in a posteroinferior direction. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the relationship among remaining skeletal and dental malocclusions and the occurrence of CD.

Keywords: centric dental occlusion; centric relation; cephalometrics; dental articulators; dental cast analysis; mandibular condyle; orthodontics.

Publication types

  • Review

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.