Research Article

Evaluation of Vertical Skeletal Patterns with Panoramic Radiographs: A Correlation Analysis

Volume: 6 Number: 2 August 31, 2026

Evaluation of Vertical Skeletal Patterns with Panoramic Radiographs: A Correlation Analysis

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between a modified landmark of orbital mandibular plane angle (OMPA) on panoramic radiographs and mandibular plane angle (MPA) on lateral cephalograms, to access the vertical skeletal patterns directly through panoramic radiographs.
Materials and Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 138 orthodontic patients, OMPA and MPA were measured in all 138 patients. Then, a subgroup of 94 cases with clearly identifiable porion landmarks on panoramic radiographs was further analyzed for panoramic mandibular plane angle (PMPA) on panoramic radiographs and MPA on lateral cephalograms. Pearson correlation and linear regression analyses were performed using SPSS 27.0, with significance set at p<0.01.
Results: In all 138 cases, OMPA and MPA showed a moderate positive correlation (Pearson's r=0.599, p<0.01). In the subgroup of 94 cases, the correlation between OMPA and MPA remained similar (Pearson's r=0.557, p<0.01), whereas PMPA exhibited a stronger correlation with MPA (Pearson's r=0.736, p<0.01). 
Conclusions: Both OMPA and PMPA can serve as supplementary indicators for the preliminary assessment of vertical skeletal patterns in orthodontic patients when lateral cephalograms are unavailable. Clinically, these parameters help screen hypodivergent/hyperdivergent tendencies during routine panoramic examination, guiding timely referral for cephalometric analysis.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This research was funded by the Xiamen University Training Program of Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Undergraduates, grant number 2024Y1005 (1,000 RMB).

Project Number

2024Y1005

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval was obtained from the Medical Ethics Committee of Xiamen Medical College Affiliated Stomatological Hospital (approval date and number: 10 September 2025; KS20250910001).

Thanks

None

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

August 31, 2026

Submission Date

March 5, 2026

Acceptance Date

June 10, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 6 Number: 2

APA
Chen, M., Xu, T., Zhang, L., & Chen, Y. (2026). Evaluation of Vertical Skeletal Patterns with Panoramic Radiographs: A Correlation Analysis. HRU International Journal of Dentistry and Oral Research, 6(2), 81-91. https://doi.org/10.61139/ijdor.1902852
AMA
1.Chen M, Xu T, Zhang L, Chen Y. Evaluation of Vertical Skeletal Patterns with Panoramic Radiographs: A Correlation Analysis. HRU Int J Dent Oral Res. 2026;6(2):81-91. doi:10.61139/ijdor.1902852
Chicago
Chen, Mengting, Tangjia Xu, Lueyue Zhang, and Yong Chen. 2026. “Evaluation of Vertical Skeletal Patterns With Panoramic Radiographs: A Correlation Analysis”. HRU International Journal of Dentistry and Oral Research 6 (2): 81-91. https://doi.org/10.61139/ijdor.1902852.
EndNote
Chen M, Xu T, Zhang L, Chen Y (August 1, 2026) Evaluation of Vertical Skeletal Patterns with Panoramic Radiographs: A Correlation Analysis. HRU International Journal of Dentistry and Oral Research 6 2 81–91.
IEEE
[1]M. Chen, T. Xu, L. Zhang, and Y. Chen, “Evaluation of Vertical Skeletal Patterns with Panoramic Radiographs: A Correlation Analysis”, HRU Int J Dent Oral Res, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 81–91, Aug. 2026, doi: 10.61139/ijdor.1902852.
ISNAD
Chen, Mengting - Xu, Tangjia - Zhang, Lueyue - Chen, Yong. “Evaluation of Vertical Skeletal Patterns With Panoramic Radiographs: A Correlation Analysis”. HRU International Journal of Dentistry and Oral Research 6/2 (August 1, 2026): 81-91. https://doi.org/10.61139/ijdor.1902852.
JAMA
1.Chen M, Xu T, Zhang L, Chen Y. Evaluation of Vertical Skeletal Patterns with Panoramic Radiographs: A Correlation Analysis. HRU Int J Dent Oral Res. 2026;6:81–91.
MLA
Chen, Mengting, et al. “Evaluation of Vertical Skeletal Patterns With Panoramic Radiographs: A Correlation Analysis”. HRU International Journal of Dentistry and Oral Research, vol. 6, no. 2, Aug. 2026, pp. 81-91, doi:10.61139/ijdor.1902852.
Vancouver
1.Mengting Chen, Tangjia Xu, Lueyue Zhang, Yong Chen. Evaluation of Vertical Skeletal Patterns with Panoramic Radiographs: A Correlation Analysis. HRU Int J Dent Oral Res. 2026 Aug. 1;6(2):81-9. doi:10.61139/ijdor.1902852