AGE ASSESSMENT OF THE DYNAMICS OF MORPHOLOGICAL REARRANGEMENT OF BONE TISSUE OF THE ARTICULAR PROCESSES OF THE HUMAN LOWER JAW DEPENDING ON THE LOSS OF THE MASTICATORY TEETH

Abstract

Aim: To analyze morphometric changes in the structure of bone tissue of the mandibular articular processes and establish their densitometric dependence on the masticatory teeth loss in people of I-II periods of adulthood. Materials and methods: We analyzed 136 digital CT recordings of human temporomandibular joints. The research subjects were divided into three groups based on the degree of dentition defect acquisition: the first – a limited defect, the second – a final defect, and the third – a preserved dentition (control); by age into two periods of adulthood of postnatal human ontogenesis. Digital statistical analysis of the bone density is presented as M±σ (mean and standard deviation). We compared the experimental groups with the control group using nonparametric statistical analysis. Results: Changes in the vertical dimension of occlusion due to limited masticatory teeth loss acquire variable morphometric features, causing an interrelated process of bone atrophy of the cellular part and the trabecular layer of the mandibular processes. The density of bone tissue of the cortical layer of the articular-fossa quadrant (A-Fh/q) of the articular head of the mandibular process increases on the right with limited defects and decreases with final defects. Indicators of bone densitometry of A-Fh/q on the left is characterized by a decrease with limited defects for individuals of the I-st period of adulthood and an increase in the final defects in the II-nd on the left and right. Conclusions: Multifactorial pathomorphological compensatory processes ensure bone density, but with a change in values on the right and a decrease on the left. Morphometric values of trabecular layers, the most vulnerable areas of the neck and base of the mandibular articular processes, indicate the reconstruc¬tion of their bone tissue with limited defects; in the first period of the adulthood, they decrease with a significant predominance on the left.