Avaliação dos efeitos da periodontite na dimensão fractal do osso alveolar ao redor dos primeiros molares inferiores: estudo-piloto

Abstract

The present pilot study was developed with the objective of analyzing, through fractal analysis, the alveolar bone around the lower first molars of patients with generalized stage III Periodontitis. Four patients (three women and one man) aged 52.8 ± 2.8 years participated in this study. Periogram data such as visible plaque index, probing depth, gingival bleeding index, bleeding on probing, clinical attachment level, suppuration, tooth mobility and furcation were applied, as well as digital periapical radiographic images, taken at the initial moment of the dental treatment for each patient. To analyze the fractal dimension, three regions of interest (ROI) (cervical, middle and apical) were delimited in the mesial and distal alveolar bone of the first molars, with dimensions of 47 x 47 pixels. In the sample studied, the fractal dimension values ranged from 1,108 to 1,474, with a mean and standard deviation of 1,334 ± 0.093. Statistically important differences were not identified comparing data from different ROIs. In this sample of patients with advanced periodontitis, the values obtained by fractal analysis were considered low, compatible with low-complexity trabecular bone.