Investigating the Correlation Between Freeway Space and Gonial Angle Among Patients with Natural Dentition

Calculating the correct vertical relation between mandible and maxilla is considered to be a crucial element in successful placement of removable and fixed partial dentures.

This is an analytical study with cross-sectional conducted in 2018 on 128 patients to determine the correlation between FreeWay Space (FWS) and gonial angle. For measuring the correlation between them, their Vertical Dimension at Rest (VDR), Vertical Dimension of Occlusion (VDO), and Maximum Intercuspation Position (ICP) were recorded. The difference between VDR and VDO was reported as FWS. For measuring gonial angle, panoramic radiography method was used and data were analyzed using independent t-test and Pearson correlation test at a significance level of P<0.05.

The correlation coefficient between FWS and gonial angle, between FWS and age, and between gonial angle and age were reported as r=-0.052, 0.137, and -0.102, respectively. Furthermore, the significance level for the difference in FWS and gonial angle between men and women was found to be p=0.267 and p=0.6, respectively. 

There was no significant relationship between FWS and gonial angle. Hence, gonial angle cannot be used for measuring the FWS.