Three-dimensional morphometric analysis of anterior cranial base in growing patients

Prevalence of mandibular asymmetries in the pediatric population of Jazan: A radiographic analytical study

Background

Facial asymmetry results from variation in mandibular linear and angular dimensions on the right and left sides of the face. Mandibular asymmetry is of great significance to oral surgeons and orthodontists as it directly impacts the facial profile of an individual.

Aim

The present study aimed to measure the prevalence of mandibular asymmetry and its fluctuations during the mixed dentition growth phase in healthy children aged 6-8 years in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia.

Method

This retrospective observational study was conducted by measuring linear asymmetrical measurements of mandible on orthopantomograms of 390 healthy children (182 boys and 208 girls, aged 6-8 years) with mixed dentition. Linear measurements from orthopantomograms were obtained using a standardized digitizer. Two sets of mandibular measurements were recorded, alongside subjective assessments of mandibular first molar development. An independent t-test was employed to assess the significance between measurements on both sides, while one-way ANOVA was used to demonstrate facial asymmetry significance among different age groups.

Result

The result of this study revealed a significant statistical difference (p-value≤ 0.05) for both sides of the mandible across two dimensions: condylar and ramus height (p value = 0.03) and mandibular length (p value = 0.04). The asymmetry index resulted in no asymmetry among most of the included subjects. However, compared to the other three linear measurements, many seven-year-old participants possess mandibular asymmetry on condylar height (54.5 %).

Conclusion

Within the limitation it could be concluded that children in growing age have a significant mandibular asymmetry (mainly 7 years), which, however, is only seldom clinically significant. Hence, treatment plan should be cautiously planned.

Comparison of the transverse cranial base dimension in different craniofacial skeletal relationships: A cone-beam computed tomography study

Background/purpose

In comparing the cranial base's size, most cephalometric studies focused on the length and angle in the anteroposterior direction. However, investigating the anterior, middle, and posterior cranial base's transverse dimensions is challenging. This study aimed to investigate the transverse dimensions of the cranial base in different craniofacial skeletal patterns and sexes using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Materials and methods

A total of 210 adults (105 males and 105 females), including three different skeletal relationships, were included in the study. The cranial base dimensions were measured on a three-dimensional image structure rendered by CBCT. Statistical methods included the Kappa statistic for analysis of consistency and reproducibility and the independent t-test for differences in cranial base dimensions between sexes. A general linear model (GLM) was used to compare the transverse size of the cranial base among skeletal Class I, II, and III groups. The Pearson correlation coefficient explored the correlation among the cranial base dimensions.

Results

The cranial base dimensions did not differ significantly between skeletal Class I, II, and III. The more prominent cranial base size was found in males than females, except for the crista galli length (CGL) and cribriform ethmoid plate width (CEPW). The cranial base dimensions did not differ significantly between different skeletal relationships. Most dimensions have significant correlations in the middle and the posterior cranial base.

Conclusion

The cranial base's transverse dimensions in Taiwanese adults show no significant differences between craniofacial skeletal relationships. In the middle and posterior cranial base, transverse measurements reveal significant sexual dimorphism.