Evaluation of mandibular bone healing by fractal analysis after sagittal split ramus osteotomy

In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the trabecular changes observed in the mandibular bone and mandibular condyle following the bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy by fractal analysis method. The 30 patients (9 male and 21 female) who were referred and operated under general anesthesia in Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery included in the study. Trabecular structure alterations in osteotomy lines and mandibular condyles were evaluated on the postoperative first week, the sixth month, and first-year follow-up orthopantomographs with fractal analysis method. In the postoperative first week, a significant reduction was observed in osteotomy lines and condyle sites fractal dimension values. Postoperatively, the observed reduction gradually increased. The fractal dimension values increased similarly to the preoperative values, in horizontal osteotomy in postoperative six months and vertical osteotomy in postoperative 12 months. The observed reduction of fractal dimension values in the right and left condylar regions regained preoperative values in 6 months. The results of this study, in a general brace that the fractal analysis may be used to evaluate trabecular structure after orthognathic surgery. Keywords: Orthognathic Surgery, Osteotomy, Mandible, Mandibular Condyle, Panaromic Radiography, Fractal Analysis