Mandibular Kondil, Koronoid Çıkıntı ve Sigmoid Girintideki Morfolojik Varyasyonların Dijital Panoramik Radyografilerde Değerlendirilmesi Yoluyla Kimlik Tanımlanmasında Kullanılması

Abstract

Statement of the problem: Since the mandible is a strong bone and can remain undamaged for a long time, the variations that can be observed in the morphology of the mandibular coronoid process, condyle and sigmoid notch depending on age, gender and race can be used to predict the population, age and gender to which the individual may belong and for identification. The aim of our study was to determine the morphological variations in the coronoid process, condyle and sigmoid notch on both sides in a group of adult Turkish population using digital panoramic radiographs and to analyze the usability of the obtained data in determining gender and age.

Materials and methods: In our study, a total of 1428 panoramic radiographs and 2856 regions (right-left) belonging to individuals over 20 years of age were evaluated. Different morphological variations in the condyle, coronoid process and sigmoid notch were compared by age groups, gender and regions, and the data obtained were compared using Chi Square analysis, and statistical significance was assessed at p<0.05.

Results: Of the 1428 patients included in the study, 521 (36.5%) were male, 907 (63.5%) were female, and the mean age was 43.20 ±14,80. In our study, different variations were observed in the mandibular condyle, coronoid process and sigmoid notch. In our study, the most common condyle shape was found to be 38.41% angled, coronoid process shape was 57.45% triangular, and sigmoid notch shape was 51.45 % round. While all three anatomical structures morphologically showed a symmetric distribution between the right and left regions, when we compared the genders, no difference was observed in the coronoid process and sigmoid notch, but a difference in the shape of the condyle was observed between the genders. When age groups were taken into consideration, differences in morphological variations were detected between age groups in all three anatomical structures.

Conclusion: This study has shown that the usability of anatomical variations detected using panoramic radiography to predict age, gender and race is still uncertain, as they are observed in both sexes, all age groups and all populations.