Relationship of dehiscence and fenestration prevelance in patients with skeletal class i malocclusion and anterior crowding

SUMMARY The main aim of this study is to evaluate, whether the frequency of dehiscence and fenestration in skeletal Class I individuals with anterior crowding increases or not, with the measurements carried out via Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT). For this purpose, after careful consideration of the archive records, imaging results of 46 individuals were included. Individuals who had anterior crowding of more than 5mm were assigned to the crowding group and those that had less crowding were evaluated as the control. When maxilla was considered, 31 individuals were included in the control group and 15 individuals in the crowding group. In terms of mandible, the control group contained 26 individuals whereas the crowding group had 20 individuals. During the measurements, tooth to be measured was primarily oriented on the sagittal, coronal and axial planes. Then, bone loss of the buccal and lingual surfaces was evaluated on the axial slices. The distance between the cementoenamel junction and the point where marginal bone is seen was measured and if the distance was more than 2 mm, it was assumed to be dehiscence. If the marginal bone was seen at 2 mm distance from the cementoenamel junction; however, disappeared apically, this condition was assumed to be fenestration, In order to determine the site of affected root surface, the total length of the root was analysed in three parts: apical 1/3, middle 1/3 and gingival 1/3. It was assumed to be bone loss, if no cortical bone was identified in at least three consecutive views. While evaluating the results, instead of using the terms fenestration and dehiscence, "there is bone loss" or "there is no bone loss" was used. Inclinations of incisors were carried out and its relationship with the amount of bone loss was investigated. When the results were statistically evaluated, it was seen that there was no statistically significant difference between the of bone defect and amount of crowding in any area except for the apical buccal region of the maxillary number 3 ( p>0,05). There was also no correlation observed between the inclinations of the incisors and the degree of bone defect. As a result, in skeletal Class I individuals there is no relationship between the severity of crowding and the amount of alveolar bone. No advantage was found in cases with proper teeth alignment in terms of alveolar bone thickness, no tendency of bone loss was seen in cases with crowding. Key words: alveolar bone defect, cone beam computed tomography, crowding