FEATURES OF THE STRUCTURE OF THE FACIAL SKULL OF PATIENTS WITH DISTAL OCCLUSION, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE DIRECTION OF JAW GROWTH

Abstract

Distal occlusion in children and adolescents is accompanied by a complex set of craniofacial alterations whose severity depends on the prevailing direction of jaw growth. Aim.To evaluate the craniofacial morphology of patients with distal occlusion, taking horizontal, vertical, and neutral growth patterns into account. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the structural features of the facial skull in patients with a distal occlusion, taking into account the direction of jaw growth. Materials and methods.Eighty-nine patients aged 8–16 years were examined; 52 underwent an in-depth assessment of study casts and were allocated to three etiological subgroups.To determine the structural features of the facial skull in patients with a distal occlusion, 14 angular and 9 linear parameters were studied; statistics were performed in Microsoft Excel 2016 using Student’s t-test (p < 0.01).Research results. Irrespective of growth direction, patients demonstrated an altered relationship between the mandibular ramus and body and a clockwise rotation of the occlusal plane. Horizontal growers exhibited an anticlockwise rotation of the mandibular plane, reduced posterior lower facial height, and a decrease in total facial height. Vertical growers showed mandibular and chin retrusion, shortening of the mandibular ramus, and a clockwise rotation of the mandibular plane.Neutral growers displayed moderate changes without pronounced retrognathia but with a consistent reduction in anterior facial height. Conclusions. Distal occlusion is associated with a reproducible pattern of craniofacial disproportions that varies with jaw-growth direction and should be considered when planning orthodontic treatment to shorten its duration and prevent complications.