Analysis of mandibular asymmetry in adolescent and adult patients with unilateral posterior crossbite on cone-beam computed tomography

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate mandibular asymmetry in unilateral posterior crossbite (UPXB) patients and compare the asymmetry between adolescents and adults with UPXB. This study included and analyzed cone-beam computed tomography scans of 125 subjects. The subjects were divided into a UPXB group and a control group according to the presence or absence of UPXB, and each group included adolescent patients (aged 10-15 years) and adult patients (aged 20-40 years). Linear, angular, and volumetric measurements were obtained to evaluate the asymmetries of the mandibles. Both adolescent and adult patients in the UPXB group presented asymmetries in condylar unit length, ramal height, body length, and mediolateral ramal inclination (P<0.05). Adult patients with UPXB showed greater asymmetries than adolescents. Differences with condylar unit length, condylar unit width, ramal height, condylar unit volume, and hemimandibular volume were significantly greater in adult UPXB patients than adolescent UPXB patients (P<0.05). The worsening of mandibular asymmetries in UPXB adults suggests that asymmetry in UPXB patients may progress over time; therefore, early treatment should be considered for UPXB adolescent patients. Further studies are still needed to evaluate the effectiveness of early treatment.