Assessment of mandibular asymmetry

ABSTRACT

This study was done to assess mandibular asymmetry as a dentofacial deformity in patients with clinically evident mandibular asymmetry. The sample consisted of 33 Iraqi patients with different mandibular asymmetry conditions selected from different hospitals in Baghdad and Mosul. Comprehensive examination protocol was established for each patient and the deformity of mandibular asymmetry had been classified into six different conditions. The study shows that cases with unilateral overgrowth, asymmetric mandibular enlargement, constitute 81.8% of the sample, while cases with unilateral undergrowth, asymmetric mandibular deficiency, constitute 18.2% only. Mandibular asymmetry is not a rare dentofacial deformity and it can be due to unilateral overgrowth; asymmetric mandibular enlargement; or unilateral undergrowth; asymmetric mandibular deficiency