Comparative evaluation of trabecular bone structures of bruxist and non-bruxist individuals with bone apposition in the mandible angle region by fractal analysis.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the trabecular internal structure of different regions of the mandible according to the grades of appositional classification in the mandible angle region in probable bruxist individuals and non-bruxist G0(Convex course of the basal cortex, no directional change, no bone apposition) individuals by measuring fractal dimension (FD) on panoramic radiographs.

Methods: 200 sample jaws, bilaterally, of 80 probable bruxists and 20 non-bruxist G0 individuals were included in the study. According to the classification in the literature, each mandible angle apposition severity was classified as G0-G1-G2-G3. FD was calculated by selecting the region of interest (ROI) area of 7 regions from each sample. Gender differences in changes between ROIs in radiographs and independent samples t-test were evaluated. Relation between categorical variables was determined by chi-square test (p < .05).

Results: In the comparison of the probable bruxist and non-bruxist G0 groups, FD was found to be statistically significantly higher in the mandible angle (p = 0.013) and cortical bone (p = 0.000) regions in the probable bruxist group than in the non-bruxist G0 group. There is a statistically significant difference between probable bruxist G0 and non-bruxist G0 grades in terms of FD averages in cortical bone (p < 0.001). A statistically significant difference was found in the relationship of ROIs with gender in canine apex (p = 0.021) and canine distal (p = 0.041) regions.

Conclusion: FD was found to be higher in the mandibular angle region and cortical bone in probable bruxist individuals than in non-bruxist G0 individuals. Morphological changes seen in the mandible angulus region may be a finding that may raise suspicion for bruxism for clinicians.