Evaluation of the Effect of Parity on Mandibular Bone Structure Using Fractal Analysis.

Abstract

Background: Pregnancy and parity induce physiologic adaptations in maternal calcium and bone metabolism, yet their specific effects on mandibular trabecular architecture remain insufficiently characterized. Evidence on craniofacial bone across parity is limited and conflicting, underscoring the need to clarify whether parity relates to mandibular bone quality.

Aims: The main aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of parity on mandibular bone architecture using fractal dimension analysis (FDA).

Methods: Ninety-five healthy female subjects aged between 18 and 63 years were included in the study. Participants were divided into three groups based on the number of children: nulliparity (NP), multiparity (MP), and grand multiparity (GMP). Panoramic radiographs of the participants were analyzed by selecting three regions of interest (ROIs), each measuring 60 × 60 pixels: ROI-1, mandibular condyle; ROI-2, mandibular angle; and ROI-3, mandibular premolar region (1 mm below the root apex of the right first premolar).

Results: No statistically significant differences were observed in the fractal dimension (FD) values of the mandibular condyle, mandibular angle, or mandibular premolar regions among the NP, MP, and GMP groups (P = 0.935; P > 0.05; P = 0.961 > 0.05; P = 0.870 > 0.05).

Conclusion: This is the first study to assess the effect of parity on the mandibular bone. Investigating the relationship between parity and mandibular bone structure is important for understanding bone-related diseases such as periodontitis. The findings of this study indicate that parity does not influence the quality or architectural characteristics of the mandibular bone in women.