Mandibular asymmetry in different occlusion patterns.

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.