Evaluation of the Relationship Between Delivery Type and Craniofacial Morphology and Condylar Symmetry

Abstract

Objective: To assess the effects of delivery types on growth patterns and mandibular asymmetry.

Methods: One hundred six patients were divided into two groups as those who were born via normal delivery and via cesarean delivery. Skeletal growth patterns were measured on cephalograms using NemoCeph software (Nemotec, Madrid, Spain). The condylar, ramal and total asymmetry indexes were calculated on panoramic radiographs using the Image) software (Image) software, 1.37, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA). The mothers of the patients were also asked to respond to questions on their childbirth experiences and the infancy stages of their children.

Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of their skeletal, dental and soft tissue parameters on their cephalometric images (p 0.05). No statistically significant difference was observed between the asymmetry index values of the two groups (p 0.05). A significant correlation was observed between the gestational weeks of the patients at birth and their total asymmetry scores (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Types of delivery did not affect growth patterns significantly. However, more asymmetric condyles were observed in the normal delivery group, and more ramus asymmetries were observed in cesarean delivery group. There was also a relationship between preterm birth and mandibular asymmetry.