Maxillary bone defects and their relationship to transverse maxillary discrepancies

Abstract

Objectives The relationship between the presence of bone defects (fenestrations and dehiscences) observed in lateral slices in computerized axial tomography (CAT) images and maxillomandibular transverse discrepancies was determined. Methods The sample was composed of 160 CAT scan files, corresponding to 9–25-year-old patients, which had been taken prior to orthodontic treatment at a radiology center in Guadalajara, México, from 2009 to 2012. They were grouped by age, and we identified bone defects in maxillary teeth (first and second premolars and first molars). The maxillary (JL-JR) and mandibular (GA-AG) widths were measured, and the maxillomandibular discrepancy ([GA-AG]-[JL-JR]) was calculated. Chi-square and t-tests were performed. Results The values of maxillomandibular discrepancies increased with the age of the patient. There was no association between the magnitude of the maxillomandibular discrepancy and the presence of bone defects. The gender of the individual was not a decisive factor in whether bone defects were present. Conclusion Bone defects occur in the vast majority of patients pretreatment regardless of the magnitude of the maxillomandibular discrepancy.