Comparison of Transverse Dentofacial Dimensions in Adults with Skeletal Class I and Class II Malocclusion, Horizontal Growth Pattern and Mild to Moderate Periodontitis using CBCT- A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Introduction: Knowledge of transverse dentofacial dimensions is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. Periodontitis can alter the widths of the arches by causing pathological migration of teeth and the concurrent bone loss can affect the transverse width of the arches. Aim: To compare the transverse dentofacial widths in adults with skeletal class I and class II malocclusions with horizontal growth pattern and with mild to moderate periodontitis using Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted in Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dental Sciences, Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, from January 2019 to January 2021. Total 96 CBCT samples (48 skeletal Class I, 48 skeletal Class II) of patients between age group of 25-35 years, patients having mild to moderate periodontitis based on bone loss seen on CBCT and patients having a horizontal growth pattern with the angle between sella-nasion and mandibular plane less than 320 degrees were included in the study. Transverse dentofacial measurements were made on the coronal plane of the CBCT scans. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Chi-square test and Student’s t-test were used to compare age, linear measurements and angular measurements between the skeletal class I and skeletal Class II groups. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant at 95% class interval. Results: In this study the mean age of patients with skeletal class I and class II was 30.89±3.23 and 30.97±3.28 years, respectively. There were 24 females and 24 males belonging to class I and class II groups, each. There was a statistically significant difference in the mean interjugal width and the antegonial width. The mean interjugal width in skeletal Class I and Class II group was 56.95±5.68 mm and 51.28±5.94 mm respectively (p-value was <0.001). The maxillomandibular difference (p-value=0.002), the mean maxillary buccal alveolar crest width difference (p-value <0.001) and mandibular buccal alveolar crest width difference (p-value <0.001) was also statistically significant. The palatal height in skeletal Class I group (21.77 mm) was significantly higher (p value <0.001) and the mean maxillary palatal alveolar crest width in skeletal Class I (36.47 mm) was lower than in the Class II group (37.97 mm). Conclusion: The dentofacial transverse widths such as the interjugal width, antegonial width, maxillomandibular difference, maxillary buccal alveolar crest width and mandibular buccal alveolar crest width were higher in skeletal Class I groups compared to skeletal Class II groups. The maxillary palatal alveolar crest width was higher in skeletal Class II groups compared to skeletal Class I group.