Evaluation of vertical mandibular asymmetry in unilateral and bilateral posterior crossbite adult patients

Abstract

Objective : t0 he aim of this study was to estimate possible differences in skeletal asymmetry between group of adult subjects with normal occlusion and unilateral and bilateral posterior crossbite malocclusions. Materials and Methods: A sample of 91 subjects (consisted of 37 unilateral posterior crossbite [14 male and 23 female; mean age 22.49 ± 4.19 years] and 31 bilateral posterior crossbite patients [18 male and 13 female; mean age 24.36 ± 3.76 years] and a control group (CG) of 23 subjects with normal occlusion [13 male and 10 female; mean age 22.74 ± 1.74 years]) was examined in the study. Condylar, ramal, and condylar-plus-ramal asymmetry values were measured for all subjects on panoramic radiographs. Data were analyzed statistically by means of paired t -test. Results: Unilateral crossbite group (UCG) and bilateral cossbite group (BCG) showed significant asymmetric indices (condylar, ramal, and condylar-plus-ramal) relative to the CG, except for condylar index when comparing BCG and CG ( P > 0.05). Comparisons within the crossbite groups showed no statistically significant differences in condylar, ramal, or condylar-plus-ramal heights (RHs) between left and right sides of the UCG, while for the BCG, significant difference was found only for the condylar-plus-RH ( P Conclusions : b0 oth UCG and BCG have asymmetrical condyles compared to CG. Side comparisons within crossbite groups showed asymmetric mandible in BCG.