Evaluation of Changes in the Density of Cervical Vertebrae, Maxilla and Mandible during Skeletal Development on Radiographs

Background and Objective: To treat bony disturbances and counteract future osteoporosis it is important to assess skeletal growth of children. The aim of present study was to evaluate changes in the density of maxillary and mandibular bones and cervical vertebrae and their correlation on radiographs.Materials and Methods: In the present cross-sectional study, panoramic and lateral cephalometric radiographs of 72 females and 48 males at 9-12 years of age before and after orthodontic treatment were evaluated. Bone densities were determined using fractal analysis in the bodies of the 3rd and 4th cervical vertebrae and four areas of jaws (mandibular body beneath the mesial root of the first molar, condyle, tuberosity and anterior maxilla).Findings: Changes in density were significant by controlling the effect of treatment duration and gender, except for maxillary tuberosity and mandibular condyle. The extent of fractal changes was more in girls than boys in all areas of mandible and maxilla; however, this trend was reverse in the cervical vertebrae with greater changes in boys. There was a correlation between changes in maxillary tuberosity and the mandibular body, and between anterior maxilla and the cervical vertebra.Conclusion: Cervical vertebrae exhibited the strongest correlation in density changes. The mean fractal changes were minimum in mandibular body and maximum in mandibular condyle and cervical vertebrae. Cervical vertebrae of boys and both jaws of girls exhibited a high rate of increase in density during adolescence. The results of Pearson analysis showed a significant relationship between fractal changes of the mandibular body and maxillary tuberosity. In addition, there was a significant relationship between mandibular condyle and the 4th cervical vertebra. Finally, there were significant relationships between the maxillary tuberosity and anterior maxilla and the 3rd cervical vertebra and between the anterior maxilla and the 3rd and 4th cervical vertebrae

Keywords:

Bone density , cervical vertebrae , maxilla , mandible , skeletal development.