Utilization of Digital Orthopantomography to Assess Mandibular Asymmetries

Abstract

This study used a public domain software, ImageJ, to analyze the orthopantomography in order to diagnose mandibular asymmetry. Analyze was performed on 36 panoramic x-rays from two types of patients: one with normal occlusion, and the other with unilateral crossbite. The x-rays were performed in the same center, by the same operator. Image J analyze was based on linear and angular measurements taken from 9 anatomic points marked on the digital images. Conclusions of study have revealed that crossbite patients presented asymmetries in mandibular corpus and in position of the condyles. Keywords: Mandibular asymmetry, Orthopantomography, Image J, crossbite