Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
IX-INTERNATIONAL ANTALYA SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND INNOVATIVE STUDIES CONGRESS, Antalya, Türkiye, 20 - 23 Kasım 2025, ss.193, (Özet Bildiri)
Introduction and Purpose: Bifid mandibular condyle (BMC) is a rare morphological variation characterized by the presence of two distinct heads of the mandibular condyle. Its etiology and clinical relevance remain controversial, and the prevalence rates reported in the literature vary widely. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of BMC in a large Turkish population using panoramic radiographs and to analyze its demographic distribution in comparison with previous studies. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, a total of 55,976 panoramic radiographs obtained between 2019 and 2023 were evaluated. The presence of BMC was identified based on defined morphological criteria, and its distribution according to gender, age, side (right/left), and unilateral/bilateral occurrence was recorded. All images were independently reviewed twice by two oral and maxillofacial radiologists. Intraobserver and interobserver reliability were assessed using weighted Kappa statistics. Gender differences were analyzed using Chi-square tests. All statistical analyses were performed with Stata 17.0, and p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Among 542 identified BMC cases, no statistically significant difference was found between female (n = 335) and male (n = 207) patients regarding the distribution of right, left, or bilateral occurrence (χ² = 2.533, p > 0.05). In females, 36.7% of cases were right-sided, 29.3% left-sided, and 34.0% bilateral, whereas in males, 36.7% were right-sided, 34.3% leftsided, and 28.0% bilateral. Overall, 37.1% of all BMCs were right-sided, 31.2% left-sided, and 31.7% bilateral. Unilateral BMCs were more frequent than bilateral forms. This study represents one of the largest population-based investigations of BMC conducted using panoramic radiographs. The lack of association between BMC and osteoarthritis may indicate a potential protective biomechanical role. Further CBCT-based, prospective, and clinically correlated studies are warranted. Key Words: Bifid mandibular condyle; Panoramic radiography; Prevalence