May unilateral posterior cross-bite cause a condylar asymmetry in growing subjects? (Il cross-bite monolaterale posteriore può provocare asimmetria condilare nei soggetti in crescita?)

In growing subjects with unilateral posterior cross-bite, a functional mandibular shift may be found, that may cause a condylar asymmetry. 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.