Comparison of mandibular condyle structure changes in patients with different prosthetic restorations by fractal analysis
Asst. Prof. Emine Dilara Colpak1, Asst. Prof. Deniz Yılmaz1, Assoc. Prof. Aykağan Çukurluoğlu2
1 Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Prosthodontics, Antalya, Turkey,
2 Erciyes University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Kayseri, Turkey
Objectives
The purpose of the study was to compare the changes in the trabecular bone structure of the mandibular condyles of patients utilizing implant-supported removable and implant-supported full-arch fixed prostheses by the fractal analysis method.
Materials and Methods
The study was conducted on panoramic radiographs of 72 condyles from 36 patients retrospectively (20 female, 16 male). The patients were divided into 3 groups: control group without prosthetic restorations (CG), implant-supported full-arch fixed prosthesis (FG), and implant-supported removable prosthesis (RG). Regions of interest (ROI) were selected (75x75 pixels) within the cortical boundary of the mandibular condyles in panoramic radiographs, and fractal dimension (FD) was computed using ImageJ version 1.51. The ROI values for each patient were evaluated for the right and left mandibular condyles, and the mean values were calculated. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS software. For statistical analyses, the One-way ANOVA and the independent t-test were used, and statistical significance was set at P<.05.
Results
The mean FD value was 1.34±.91 in the CG group, 1.25±.06 in the FG group, and 1.24±.74 in the RG group, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between the CG and FG groups (P=.014). In addition, there was a statistically significant difference between the CG and RG groups (P=.01). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the RG and FG groups (P=.986). In terms of gender, the mean FD value was 1.26±.79 for female patients and 1.3±.95 for male patients; there was no statistically significant difference (P=.213).
Conclusions
Regardless of the implant-supported fixed or implant-supported removable prosthetic restorations, morphological changes in the trabecular bone structure of the mandibular condyle may occur. The alteration of habitual occlusion, occlusal bite force, and mastication habits after prosthetic treatments may cause lower FD values.