Evaluation of Trabecular Changes Using Fractal Analysis After Orthodontic Treatment for Congenital Maxillary Lateral Incisor Missing with Space Opening and Closure Methods

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the study was to compare the trabecular changes in alveolar bone structure after the treatment of congenital maxillary lateral incisor missing (CMLIM) with space-opening and -closure methods by fractal dimension (FD) analysis. Material and Methods: The study included 48 patients and three groups were formed: control (Group 1), space-opening (Group 2), and space-closure groups (Group 3). FD analysis was performed on panoramic images taken before (T0) and after (T1) treatment in the area of interest of trabecular alveolar bone determined in the distal apical region of the maxillary central incisor. For inter-group comparisons, the Kruskal-Wallis test was employed, while the Wilcoxon test was utilized for intra-group comparisons. The statistical significance was determined as p0.05). In Group 2, a significant decrease in FD values was observed during the T1 period compared to T0, whereas Group 3 showed a significant increase (p