ABSTRACT
Mild facial asymmetry can occur during growth and development but if it exceeds the normal limit it can affect the esthetics and developing occlusion of the growing individual complicating the orthodontic diagnosis and treatment.The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of mandibular asymmetries during the mixed dentition in growing children of local population. A retrospective study was designed where various measurements were performed on the right and left sides of the mandible using panoramic radiographs of 50 children [males: 21; females: 29] in age range of 8-14 years. Two linear measurements, mandibular ramus height, ramus width and one angular measurement, mandibular gonial [Go] angle were analysed. All measurements were adjusted for the magnification factor. The final data were then processed for the asymmetry index [AI] to determine the severity of the asymmetries. Wilcoxon paired tests at the 95 per cent level of confidence was used for statistical analysis. A moderate-to-severe mandibular asymmetry for the linear dimensions when both sides of the mandible were contrasted was found in more than a half of the sample. There was also a high prevalence of moderate and severe asymmetries when comparing Go angle on both sides of the mandible in studied population