With imaging, is it possible to find out the reason for condylar resorption?

Question

Hi doctor,

At the age of 17, I spontaneously developed an anterior open bite. I do not have a habit of tongue thrust. Although, I had been using a drugstore night guard when it developed. My orthodontist fixed it without doing any imaging. Looking back, I wonder if it had been caused by idiopathic condylar resorption or some other degeneration of the joint. If I get imaging done now, will they be able to confirm whether I previously had degeneration or resorption?

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

The resorption of your condyle is idiopathic. That means the cause cannot be determined or defined. With imaging investigations, now it is not possible to discern whether it was present or absent before, during or after treatment, unless you have x-rays or CT (computed tomography) from before to compare with. Regarding anterior open bite, your malocclusion could also be a cause or it could have happened due to night guard or any other systemic reason. That is due to any bodily changes, hormones or medication. The open bite that you developed was most likely due to the night guard and it is not because of condylar degeneration. It is quite a common occurrence with drugstore night guards. That is why it is always recommended to get a custom-made guard under orthodontic supervision.

With imaging, is it possible to find out the reason for condylar resorption?

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