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Introduction: Mandibular asymmetries
are common in orthodontic patients and affect both aesthetics and
function.
The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence and degree of
mandibular asymmetries in patients with skeletal Classes I and II, using
orthopantomographic (OPG) images to assess linear and angular
measurements of the mandible.
Materials and Methods: A total of 70 orthopantomographic images
of patients over 16 years of age were analyzed. Patients were classified
into skeletal Class I and II groups based on lateral cephalometric
analysis. Linear and angular mandibular measurements were categorized as
mild, moderate, pronounced, or severe asymmetry.
Results: Although no statistically significant differences were
found between skeletal Class I and II patients in terms of ramus length,
mandibular corpus length, or gonial angle asymmetry, there was a
predominant deviation of the mandible to the left side. Considering
differences in the length of the mandibular ramus and corpus, a total of
19 participants (27.14%)—10 in skeletal Class I and 9 in Class II—had
differences of less than 2 mm for both measured values. The remaining 51
participants had at least one measured difference greater than 2 mm,
indicating that mandibulofacial asymmetry is a common issue within the
analyzed groups.
Conclusion: The study did not show significant differences in
mandibular asymmetries between patients with skeletal Classes I and II,
highlighting the importance of asymmetry assessment in all orthodontic
patients for effective treatment planning.
Key words:
mandibular asymmetry, ramus length, corpus length, gonial angle,
mandibular deviation
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Address of correspondence:
Junior Researcher Andrea Kovač DMD, PhD student
University of Niš, Faculty of Medicine,
82 Dr. Zorana Djindjića Blvd., 18000 Niš, Serbia
E-mail: andrea.kovac@medfak.ni.ac.rs
Copyright © 2025by The Editorial Council of The Acta
Stomatologica Naissi
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