Assessment of condyle head shape, fossa glenoidalis depth, and articular eminentia inclination in an adult Bugis-Makassar population.

Context: Understanding variations in mandibular condyle head shape, glenoidal fossa depth, and articular eminence inclination is essential for diagnosing and managing temporomandibular joint disorders.

Aims: This study aimed to analyze the shape of the mandibular condyle head, inclination of the articular eminence, and depth of the glenoidal fossa in adult Bugis-Makassar tribe using panoramic radiography.

Settings and design: This was a prospective study conducted at the Dental and Oral Hospital, Hasanuddin University, using a purposive sampling method.

Methods and material: This study used a prospective study conducted at Dental and Oral Hospital Hasanuddin University. The sample approach used was purposive sampling. A total of 60 panoramic radiographs of patients aged 18 years and above, of Bugis-Makassar ethnicity, who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria, were collected from the Dental and Oral hospital, Hasanuddin University during the period February-April 2024. The shape of the condyle head, the depth of the glenoidal fossa, and the inclination of the articular eminence were measured using the EzDent-i application and the ImageJ software application. Data were processed using the Microsoft Excel program and presented in the form of tables and distribution diagrams.

Statistical analysis used: Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the distribution of condyle shapes, mean glenoidal fossa depth, and mean inclination of the articular eminence.

Results: The majority of condyle head shapes were oval (82.54%), followed by angled (14.13%), flat (1.67%), crooked finger (0.83%), and bifid (0.83%), with no mixed shapes observed. The mean glenoidal fossa depth was 7.5 mm, and the mean inclination of the articular eminence was 49.9°, classified as normal.

Conclusions: The shape of the condyle head in the Bugis-Makassar tribe of adult age is mostly oval, angled, flat, crocked finger, and bifid. Mixed condyle head shape was not found in this study. The depth of the glenoidalis fossa in the Bugis-Makassar tribe of adult age is classified as deep, and most of the inclination of the articular eminence is classified as normal.