Indicators of jawbone asymmetry through analysis of panoramic radiographs

Abstract

Aim: To assess the degree of jawbone asymmetry by drawing vertical lines on digital panoramic radiographs of paediatric patients with right or left unilateral cross-bite.

Study design: The sample consisted of 217 paediatric patients of both genders, aged 6-9 years. A set of vertical lines was drawn on the side of the mandible with the cross-bite and on the side without the cross-bite, using software program tpsDigs version 2. Subsequently, the differences in the measurements of the two sides were determined through statistical analysis.

Results: Analysis of the vertical jaw lines on the radiographic bite indices indicated, in every case, quantifiable differences between the side with the cross-bite and the side without the cross-bite. The differences between vertical variables, related to the heights of the mandible body and the condyle, were statistically significant (p>0.005) for the whole sample and both genders. Statistically significant differences in the heights of the mandible body were found for all the age groups (6 to 9 years old), except for the 9-year-old group, which registered differences in the variables of condylar height.

Conclusion: Throughout the sample and regardless of the side affected by cross-bite, the vertical variables corresponding to the total height of the ramus were always smaller on the side with the cross-bite. Gender did not affect the results obtained and age influenced some of the mandible's vertical heights.