Evaluation of trabecular bone and mandibular cortical thickness in adults with different vertical facial types

Objectives. This study investigated differences in trabecular structure and mandibular cortical thickness in adults related to vertical facial type (VFT), sex, and their interactions. Study Design. Lateral cephalometric radiographs (LCRs) and panoramic radiographs (PRs) of 256 patients were reviewed. The VFT classification into low-angle, normal, and high-angle groups was determined using angular and linear measurements on LCRs. Fractal dimension (FD) values and mandibular radiomorphometric indices (RMIs) were calculated on PRs. Results. Two-way analysis of variance revealed significant differences in FD overall among VFT groups in all sites (P < .001), with pairwise comparisons indicating the greatest values in the high-angle group in the condyle (P < .05) but in the low-angle group elsewhere (P < .001). RMIs were significantly different overall regarding VFT only in the posterior mandible (P = .004), with pairwise comparisons revealing low-angle and normal group values greater than high-angle group values (P < .05). Patient sex and the interaction of facial type and sex had no significant effect on any bone measurements. Conclusions. VFT had significant effects on trabecular structure at all measured sites, but cortical thickness was affected only in 1 location.