title: Effects of early unilateral mandibular first molar extraction on condylar and ramal vertical asymmetry.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the following study is to investigate the mandibular vertical asymmetry in a group of patients with early unilateral mandibular first molar extractions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mandibular asymmetry index measurements (condylar, ramal and condylar-plus-ramal) were performed on the panoramic radiographs of a study group including 51 patients (mean age: 18.60 ± 1.11 years) and a control group of 51 patients (mean age: 18.53 ± 1.29 years). Group I included patients with a unilateral mandibular first molar extracted before the age of 12 years. Group II included patients with no extractions and had excellent Class I relationships, no missing teeth and slight or moderate anterior crowding. A paired t-test was used to determine possible statistically significant differences between the sides for the measurements. Student's t-test was used for the comparison of asymmetry index values between the groups and genders.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No group showed statistically significant sex-or side-specific differences for posterior vertical height measurements. Condylar asymmetry index and ramal asymmetry index measurements were not statistically different between the groups, while condylar-plus-ramal asymmetry index (CRAI) measurements were statistically different between the groups (P = 0.019).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A slight difference for CRAI value was found in patients with early unilateral mandibular first molar extractions.
authors: Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Abant Izzet Baysal University, Bolu, Turkiye.
authors: Koray
authors: K
authors: Halicioglu
authors: Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkiye.
authors: Mevlut
authors: M
authors: Celikoglu
authors: Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkiye.
authors: Suleyman K
authors: SK
authors: Buyuk
authors: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkiye.
authors: Ahmet E
authors: AE
authors: Sekerci
authors: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkiye.
authors: Celal
authors: C
authors: Candirli
keywords: Condylar asymmetry; first molar extraction; ramal asymmetry; vertical asymmetry