Evaluation of trabecular bone in individuals with periodontitis using fractal analysis: An observational cross-sectional study

It is very difficult to objectively evaluate the negative changes in bone structure due to periodontitis. The present study was aimed to evaluate the trabecular bone structure between healthy individuals and periodontitis patients by fractal analysis (FA) on digital panoramic radiographs. The study included 50 periodontally healthy individuals (control group), 50 individuals with Stage 1 periodontitis (S1-P group), 50 individuals with Stage 2 periodontitis (S2-P), and 50 individuals with Stage 3 periodontitis (S3-P), a total of 200 individuals were included. The fractal dimension (FD) value of the trabecular bone in the interdental space between mandibular first molar and second premolar tooth roots was evaluated using Image J program. The mean FD values of the two regions were calculated by box counting method. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of all periodontal parameter values (