Mandibular asymmetry in different occlusion patterns

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effects of different occlusion types on the mandibular asymmetry in young individuals.

Materials and methods: Mandibular asymmetry measurements were performed on the panoramic radiographs of 189 subjects (104 females and 85 males; age range, 11-15 years), with different occlusion patterns. The subjects were divided into five groups according to the occlusion types, namely, Angle Class I (Cl I), Class II division 1 (Cl II/1), Class II division 2 (Cl II/2), Class III (Cl III), and normal occlusions. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to determine the possible statistically significant differences between the groups for condyle, ramus, and condyle-plus-ramus asymmetry index measurements. Identified differences between groups were further analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U-test at the 95% confidence interval (P<.05).

Results: There were no statistically significant differences between male and female subjects. The Kruskal-Wallis test showed that the occlusion type had a significant effect on the condylar asymmetry. In Cl II/1 cases, condylar asymmetry values were significantly different from the values of Cl II/2 and Cl III malocclusion and normal occlusion types. The normal occlusion control group was significantly different from those of Cl II/1 and the Cl I malocclusion groups.

Conclusion: Cl II/1 malocclusion has a significant effect on the condylar asymmetry index when compared to Cl II/2 and Cl III malocclusion and normal occlusion types. However, the mean condylar asymmetry index value in Cl II/1 malocclusion was not different from Cl I malocclusion.