MORPHOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF THE HUMAN MANDIBLE AND ITS CLINICAL RELEVANCE IN ORTHODONTIC DIAGNOSIS

Abstract

Background:
The mandible is the largest and strongest bone of the facial skeleton and plays a crucial role in mastication, speech, and maintenance of facial symmetry. Morphometric analysis of the mandible is important in orthodontic diagnosis, forensic identification, and craniofacial research due to significant anatomical variation among individuals.

Aim:
To evaluate various morphometric parameters of the human mandible and assess their clinical relevance in orthodontic diagnosis.

Materials and Methods: This observational cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Anatomy, Index Medical College, Indore, India. A total of 290 dry adult human mandibles were examined, including 166 male and 124 female specimens. Various morphometric parameters were measured, including gonial angle, bigonial width, bicondylar breadth, ramus breadth, mandibular length, lower jaw length, coronoid height, body height, and symphyseal height. Statistical analysis was performed using an independent t-test, and p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results:
The study revealed significant sexual dimorphism in most mandibular parameters. The gonial angle was significantly greater in females (137.99 ± 6.29°) than in males (129.63 ± 6.92°, p < 0.001). In contrast, bigonial width, bicondylar breadth, ramus breadth, mandibular length, coronoid height, body height, and symphyseal height were significantly greater in male mandibles compared to female mandibles (p < 0.001). These findings indicate that male mandibles are generally larger and more robust than female mandibles.

Conclusion:
The present study demonstrates marked sexual dimorphism in several mandibular morphometric parameters. These measurements have important applications in orthodontic diagnosis, forensic anthropology, and craniofacial surgery, as variations in mandibular dimensions influence facial profile, occlusion, and mandibular growth patterns. The morphometric data obtained may serve as useful reference values for clinical and anthropological studies.