Assessment of the association between C2 vertebral morphology and facial asymmetry using CBCT and panoramic radiography.

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between the morphology of the Axis (C2 vertebra) and facial asymmetry using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and panoramic radiographs.

Materials and methods: A retrospective evaluation was performed on CBCT and panoramic radiographs of 50 patients (aged 18-45 years) selected from university archives. Axis vertebral morphology was assessed on CBCT using angular and perpendicular measurements of the dens and transverse processes. Facial asymmetry was evaluated on panoramic radiographs by measuring bilateral distances and angles from the condylion to the midsagittal plane. Pearson's correlation and Chi-square tests were used to analyze associations. Sample size was calculated based on a priori power analysis.

Results: Moderate but statistically significant correlations were identified between specific vertebral and facial asymmetry parameters. A negative correlation was observed between the right Axis angle and the right Co-ANSMe perpendicular distance (r = - 0.31, p = 0.026), while the left Axis perpendicular distance showed a positive correlation with both right (r = 0.36, p = 0.009) and left (r = 0.33, p = 0.018) Co-ANSMe perpendicular distances. Additionally, combined measurements of Axis and Co-ANSMe distances demonstrated a moderate positive correlation (r = 0.31, p = 0.028). No other statistically significant correlations were found.

Conclusions: Morphological differences in the Axis vertebra appear moderately associated with transverse facial asymmetry. These findings may offer additional reference points for radiographic assessment. Further studies with larger samples are recommended to confirm these observations.