Observation of trabecular changes of the mandible after orthognathic surgery using fractal analysis

Abstract

Objectives: This study sought to evaluate trabecular changes in the mandible using fractal analysis and to explain the transient osteopenia related to rapid orthodontic tooth movement after orthognathic surgery. Materials and Methods: Panoramic radiographs were taken of 26 patients who underwent bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy. Radiographs taken before the surgery and 1 month after surgery were overlapped, and 40×40 pixel square regions of interest were selected near the mandibular canines and 1st molars. After the image processing procedure, the fractal dimension was calculated using the box-counting method. Results: Fractal dimension after orthognathic surgery decreased in a statistically significant manner (P<0.05). The change in fractal dimension on the canine side had greater statistical significance as compared to that seen on the 1st molar side. Conclusion: This study found that bone density decreases after orthognathic surgery due to transient osteopenia related to the regional acceleratory phenomenon. This result can provide a guide to evaluating orthodontic tooth movement after orthognathic surgery.