Effect of Nail Biting Habit on Mandibular Bone Structure: A Retrospective Radiological Study

Nail biting (onychophagia) is a common parafunctional habit characterized by repetitive and non-functional biting behavior. Although the effects of nail biting on dental structures and occlusion have been reported, its potential effects on mandibular bone structure remain unclear. This retrospective radiological study aims to evaluate the association between nail biting habit and mandibular bone characteristics using fractal analysis and panoramic morphometric indices. Existing panoramic radiographs of individuals with and without nail biting habits will be retrospectively analyzed. Trabecular bone complexity, mandibular cortical width, panoramic mandibular index, and Klemetti index values will be compared between groups to investigate whether nail biting habit is associated with alterations in mandibular bone morphology.

NCT Number	NCT07740889
Lead Sponsor	Recep Tayyip Erdogan University Training and Research Hospital
Conditions	Onychophagia
Enrollment	100 participants
Start Date	2026-07-27
Primary Completion	2026-08-05 (estimated)
Study Completion	2026-08-07 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-08-03