OBJECTIVEThis study aimed at using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) to study the influence ofprolonged unilateral posterior teeth loss on bilateral condylar morphology.

METHODSThe CBCT images of 30 patients withprolonged unilateral posterior teeth loss and 30 healthy people as controls were corrected. Mimics 15.0 software was used tomeasure volume, area, distance, and bone density of condyle. The results were statistically analyzed.

RESULTSThe volumeand bone density of condylar head and the entire condyle on missing teeth side were less than the contralateral side (P<0.05).The area and bone density of condylar transverse plane were greater than the contralateral side (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONAfter prolonged unilateral posterior teeth loss, adaptive reconstruction occurs in the bilateral condyles, and condyle of missing teethside is smaller than the contralateral side.

Bone Density ; Case-Control Studies ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Humans ; Mandibular Condyle ; pathology ; surgery ; Software ; Tooth Loss