The Simple Regression Model of Gonial Angles : Comparison between Panoramic Radiographs and Lateral Cephalograms

Abstract

The aim of this study was to enhancing the panoramic radiograph's clinical use for assessing mandibular measurements and formulating a function of those measurements from panoramic radiographs and lateral cephalograms in children. The panoramic radiographs and lateral cephalograms of 99 former orthodontic patients with skeletal class III malocclusion were selected. In each radiograph, gonial angles, ramus heights, and distance between lower incisors and symphysis were measured. The values of the studied parameters were compared by paired t-test, Pearson's correlation test and regression analysis. The mean value of the gonial angle in panoramic radiographs was 125.49°, and the value in lateral cephalograms was 127.50°. The Pearson's correlation coefficient (ρ) between mean values of gonial angle in each radiograph was 0.945 (p < 0.001). The relationship between the gonial angle measurements obtained from each radiographs was represented as 'Gonial angle (Lateral cephalograms) = 0.920 X Average gonial angle (Panoramic radiographs) + 12.072' in the linear function. The coefficients of ramus heights, and distance between lower incisors and symphysis portrayed weaker correlations than gonial angles. A panoramic radiograph could be used to determine the gonial angle as accurately as a lateral cephalogram, and each gonial angle showed a strong positive relation. A panoramic radiograph is a useful tool for examining vertical growth pattern of patients, as well as a lateral cephalogram.