Relationships Between the Gonial Angle and Mandibular Ramus Morphology in Dentate Subjects: A Panoramic Radiophotometric Study

Abstract

Analysis of dental panoramic radiographs (DPRs) is an indispensable diagnostic tool for dental implants both pre and post operation. Many studies on linear and angular morphometry of the mandibular body have been conducted, but those on the mandibular ramus have not yet been reported. The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in the morphometric parameters of the mandibular ramus between high and low gonial angles (GAs) on DPRs as well as between genders, and to determine the relationships between GA and variables of the mandibular ramus morphometry. The DPRs of 156 dentate subjects (78 for each gender) with more than 15 teeth present, a mean age of 49.54 years, and a mean number of teeth of 26.20 were examined. The films were divided into the following 2 groups of GA: less than 120° (low gonial angle, LGA) and more than 125° (high gonial angle, HGA) in both the right and left sides. The parameters for Ar′-Go, MaF-Go, RW, and RD in the LGA group were significantly larger than those in the HGA group in both men and women, but that for the ramus angle (RA) was significantly smaller in the LGA group than in the HGA group. Significant gender differences in the 2 GA groups were recognized with respect to the Ar′-Go, MaF-Go, RW, and RD parameters. Significant negative low and moderate correlations were found between GA and the Ar′-Go, MaF-Go, RW, and RD variables, whereas significant positive low correlation was found between GA and the RA variable. Within the limits of this study, the analysis of the mandibular ramus morphometry on DPRs in terms of GA size and gender was found to be useful for devising a highly predictive and strategic plan for implant-supported oral rehabilitation.