Bifid mandibular condyle

Abstract

This report brings the total number of bifid mandibular condyles reported so far in the English-language literature to 15 cases. In addition, one dried specimen with two distinct condylar heads is reported. This rare anomaly does not appear to have a predilection for any particular race or either gender. At the time of initial consultation, almost all patients are adults. Sixty-seven percent of the patients have no complaints related to the affected condyles, but the condition is an incidental dental panoramic radiographic finding. The left condyles seem to be affected twice as often as the right condyles. We do not yet fully know the etiology, epidemiology, and long-term functional effects of this condition. We recommend the transorbital condylar view as a good, inexpensive, and lower dosage technique, compared with the tomogram, to demonstrate this anomaly.