Il cross-bite monolaterale posteriore può provocare asimmetria condilare nei soggetti in crescita?

OBJECTIVES. In growing subjects with unilateral posterior cross-bite, a functional mandibular shift may be found, that may cause a condylar asymmetry. MATERIALS AND METHODS. An anatomical mandibular tracing was performed on orthopantomogram, in order to measure the differences between two sides. We evaluated 19 patients (group A) with unilateral posterior cross-bite and a control group (group B) of 11 patients without cross-bite. RESULTS. Group A and group B were measured. In group A, a greater condylar asymmetry was found; on the crossbite side, the condyle was shorter in 74% (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS. In growing children unilateral posterior cross-bite may cause a condylar asymmetry if untreated early