Evaluation of the Alveolar Process of Mandibular Incisor in Class I, II and III Individuals with Different Facial Patterns

Resumo

In this study the thickness of the alveolar process was evaluated, and the morphology of the alveolar process of the mandibular symphysis was correlated with the Mesofacial, Brachyfacial and Dolicofacial facial skeletal patterns with Class I, II and III malocclusions, and their dependence on age. One hundred and thirty-five lateral teleradiographs were obtained, of subjects of both genders, between the ages of 11 years and 11 months and 36 years of age. The sample was divided into nine groups (n=15) according to the pattern of facial growth and malocclusion. The variables that indicated the morphology of the alveolar process of the mandibular symphysis were evaluated: C-C’, P-B, P’-B’, S-A and S’-A. The data were submitted to the analysis of variance and the Tukey test (p< 0.05). Pearson’s correlation analysis (rP) was performed to evaluate the correlation among the measurements C-C’, P-B, P’-B’, S-A, and S’-A and ANB, AOBO, FMA, and SNGoGn. There was no influence (p>0.05) of the facial pattern or malocclusion on the variables P’-B’ and S’-A. Nevertheless, the facial pattern was determinant for the variables C-C’ (only for Classes I and III), P-B and S-A. Malocclusion was determinant for C-C’ and the Brachyfacial and Dolicofacial patterns of Class III presented higher values than those of the other Classes. The Brachyfacial pattern of Class I also presented higher values for the variable S-A than for the other Classes. It was concluded that there was no significant correlation between the thickness of the alveolar process of the mandibular symphysis with malocclusion or with age.