OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) for the evaluation of trabecular bone structure in mandibular condyle and to investigate the distribution of the trabecular bone structure within mandibular condyle.

METHODSEighty condyles from 40 healthy young volunteers (aged 20-32) were scanned by CBCT. A coronoid image was acquired of each condyle and divided into 8 regions where regions of interest were specified. After CBCT images were binarized, four morphological parameters including bone volume fraction, trabecular thickness, trabecular number and trabecular separation were computed.

RESULTSAll parameters were significantly different between the superior zone and middle/inferior zone of the condyle (P < 0.05). Superior zone showed the largest bone volume fraction (52.2%), the highest trabecular number (1.33 mm(-1)), the thinnest trabecular thickness (393.48 microm), and the smallest trabecular separation (361.59 microm). Inferior zone showed the smallest bone volume fraction (49.64%). These results were not significantly different between bilateral sides of the condyles (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTrabecular bone structure was inhomogeneous within the condyle, but symmetrical between bilateral sides of the condyles. CBCT combined with image processing is a feasible tool in evaluating trabecular bone structure of human mandibular condyle.