OBJECTIVE: To use skeletal scintigraphy to detect mandibular growth through the analysis of bone metabolism in individuals with normal craniofacial growth, and to compare the findings with those seen in individuals with excessive craniofacial growth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-seven male and female patients between 18 to 28 years of age were divided in two groups - class I, control (n = 13), and class III, case (n = 34). Images were obtained two hours after intravenous injection of 99mTc-MDP (200 µCi/kg). Right and left side views of the mandible were obtained as well as a posterior view of the lumbar spine. The count rate was determined by the mean values of the count of the condyles and of the fourth lumbar vertebra, using a total of 300,000 counts. RESULTS: No asymmetrical condyle uptake was observed in both groups, and in spite of the absence of statistically significant differences, the mean condylar uptake values were higher in class III group. CONCLUSION: The increased mean uptake indicated higher condylar bone metabolism in class III individuals suggesting residual mandibular growth. Further studies are presently ongoing to increase our sample size.

Keywords: Bone scintigraphy, Mandibular condyle, Mandibular growth, Temporomandibular joint