Radiomorphometric Analysis of Dental and Trabecular Bone Changes in Bruxism Patients

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the changes detected in panoramic radiographs due to bruxism with qualitative and quantitative scales. Materials and Methods: 173 panoramic radiographs of 93 healthy and 80 bruxist individuals were included. Maxillary and mandibular teeth were classi?ed as anterior and posterior on radiographs; widening of the periodontal ligament (PDL) space, attrition, presence of pulp stones, and pulpal sclerosis were scored. Fractal dimension (FD) analyses were calculated in 10 regions of interest (ROI) including bilateral condylar region, gonial region, ramus, apical areas between the 1st molar -2nd premolar, and the 1st premolar and the canine. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, Kolmogorov?Smirnov, Independent sample t-test, and Spearman correlation tests. Results: 98 women and 75 men were included. There was no statistically signi?cant difference between the genders (p>0.05). The incidence of widening of the PDL space, attrition, and pulpal sclerosis was signi?cantly higher in bruxist patients than in the control group (p<0.001). The incidence of widening of the PDL space (p=0.004), pulpal sclerosis (p<0.001), and the presence of pulp stones (p<0.001) were signi?cantly higher in the posterior regions. The mean FD of the condyle was 1.18 ±0.16 in the healthy group and 1.20 ±0.11 in the bruxist group. Conclusions: The incidence of widening of the PDL space, attrition, and pulpal sclerosis was higher in bruxists. FD didn’t demonstrate significant differences in the mandibular trabecular structures of bruxist and healthy individuals.