Evaluation of mandibular asymmetry in angle malocclusion samples by posterioanterior cephalometric radiography: A preliminary study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different occlusion types on mandibular asymmetry in different anatomical points using posteroanterior cephalometric radiography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was retrospectively conducted on 100 patients whose posteroanterior images and malocclusions were registered in a patient database. Asymmetry indices were determined using four linear measurements on images, and the effect of malocclusions, age, and gender on these asymmetry indices was investigated. P <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Right and left horizontal plane gonion distance values varied according to gender, right vertical plane condylar distance and left horizontal plane gonion distance values varied according to age, and right vertical plane condylar distance and left horizontal plane gonion distance values varied according to malocclusions. CONCLUSION: The measured values of some parameters varied according to age, gender, and malocclusion. Although vertical plane gonion asymmetry index and horizontal plane condylar asymmetry index values varied according to gender, there was no relationship between asymmetry index values of all parameters with age and malocclusion.