Research Information System
EUROPEAN ORAL RESEARCH, vol.56, no.2, pp.67-73, 2022 (National Refreed University Journal)
Purpose
The movement of chewing affects the growth and development of the
stomatognathic system. Tooth decay, which is known to have effects on chewing,
can affect the jaw bone due to its indirect effect on the mechanical forces
transmitted to the jaw bone. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between
dental caries and jawbone trabeculation during the growth and development
processes in children using fractal dimension (FD) analysis.
Materials and Methods
A total of 120 patients were divided into three groups. The groups were determined
as follows: group 1: 40 patients without deep dentin caries/apical rarefying osteitis,
group 2: 40 patients with deep dentin caries/apical rarefying osteitis on the right or
left sides, and group 3: 40 patients with deep dentin caries/apical rarefying osteitis
on both the right and left side. Digital panoramic images of the selected patients
were evaluated using FD analysis.
Results
There was no statistically significant difference in the FD analysis among the groups
(p>0.05). Age and sex factors were not found statistically significant in the in-group
evaluation (p>0.05). In group 3, FD values of the right condyle (r= -0.42, p<0.05),
right ramus (r= -0.37, p<0.05) and left ramus (r= -0.45, p<0.05) were negatively
correlated with age.
Conclusion
There is no relationship between tooth decay and trabeculation of the jawbone in
children aged 8-13 years.