Dehiscence and fenestration in patients with different vertical growth patterns assessed with cone-beam computed tomography.

OBJECTIVE

To test the null hypothesis that the presence of alveolar defects (dehiscence and fenestration) was not different among patients with different vertical growth patterns.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 1872 teeth in 26 hyper-divergent (mean age: 24.4 ± 4.8 years), 27 hypo-divergent (mean age: 25.1 ± 4.5 years), and 25 normo-divergent (mean age: 23.6 ± 4.1 years) patients with no previous orthodontic treatment were evaluated using cone-beam computed tomography. Axial and cross-sectional views were evaluated with regard to whether dehiscence and/or fenestration on buccal and lingual surfaces existed or not. For statistical analysis, the Pearson chi-square test was used at a P < .05 significance level.

RESULTS

According to the statistical analysis, the hypo-divergent group (6.56%) had lower dehiscence prevalence than the hyper-divergent (8.35%) and normo-divergent (8.18%) groups (P  =  .004). Higher prevalences of dehiscence and fenestration were found on buccal sides in all vertical growth patterns. While fenestration was a common finding for the maxillary alveolar region, dehiscence was a common finding in the mandible in all groups.

CONCLUSION

The null hypothesis was rejected. Although the prevalence of fenestrations was not different, significant differences for dehiscences were found in patients with different vertical growth patterns.