Effects of functional orthopedic treatment on mandibular trabecular bone in class II patients using fractal analysis.

PURPOSE

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the effects of functional orthopedic treatment on mandibular bone structure using fractal dimension (FD) analysis of panoramic radiographs.

METHODS

The study material consisted of the pre- and posttreatment digital panoramic radiographs of 80 patients (mean age 10.1 ± 2.01 years; 45 girls, 35 boys) with class II malocclusion who were treated with the monoblock or twin block appliances. The following regions of interest (ROI) were selected: ROI1, condylar process; ROI2, angulus mandibulae; ROI3, corpus mandibulae; and ROI4, mental foramen. Pre- and posttreatment FD values were compared for each ROI.

RESULTS

FD values of the mandibular condyle did not change with the functional orthodontic treatment. FD values of the mandibular corpus region had the highest pretreatment values and significantly decreased with treatment (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Functional orthopedic treatment altered the trabeculation of the mandibular bone, but it is speculated that the changes in the occlusal forces seemed to be of primary significance for this effect.