Estimation of the trabecular structure of alveolar bone before implant planning in orthodontic treated patients by using fractal analysis method

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the trabecularbone pattern changes of orthodontically treated patients beforeorthodontic treatment (T0), immediately after (T1) and 6 monthsafter (T2) the treatment by using fractal dimension (FD) analysisin order to guide implant applications.Methods: Totally 32 orthodontic patients who had one missingtooth were included in the study. Patients were treated to alignthe teeth and to create a dimensionally appropriate space forimplant placement. Panoramic radiographs were taken withstandard protocols at the time periods of before (T0),immediately after (T1) and 6 months after (T2) treatment. FDanalysis was performed using Image J 1.3 software with the boxcounting method.Results: The highest FD value was measured before treatment(T0=1.47±0.14). Mean FD values of T2 was found statisticallysignificantly higher (1.32±0.14) than T1 (1.19±0.15) (p<0.001).Conclusion: It is suggested not to plan implant surgeryimmediately after the end of orthodontic treatment becausetrabecular bone gains more complex nature over time. FDanalysis is a simple and cost-effective tool for examining bonestructure in panoramic radiographs.