title: Do gender and torus mandibularis affect mandibular cortical index? A cross-sectional study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The interactions between torus and several factors such as age, gender, and dental status have not been studied comprehensively. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of gender on the mandibular cortical index (MCI) and to investigate a possible association between torus mandibularis (TM) and MCI.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study consisted of 189 consecutive patients referred to Department of Oral Diagnosis and Radiology of Hacettepe University within 30 workdays. Patients who did not have systemic disorders affecting bone density were included; and the age, gender, dental status and existing TM of the patients were recorded. Morphology of the mandibular inferior cortex was determined according to Klemitti's classification on panoramic radiographs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MCI was affected by age and gender (P < 0.05). No significant relationship was found between TM and MCI (P > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the study population, MCI was affected by age and gender. As age increased, semilunar defects could be seen on the cortex of the mandible and MCI values increased. Women appeared to have higher MCI values than men.
authors.affiliation: Hacettepe University Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Oral Diagnosis and Radiology, Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey. suysal@hacettepe.edu.tr
authors.forename: Serdar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Uysal
authors.forename: Berna L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Cağirankaya
authors.forename: Müjgan Güngör
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Hatipoğlu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005096:Exostoses / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008336:Mandibular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011336:Probability; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution