title: Panoramic radiographic evaluation of the mandibular morphological changes in elderly dentate and edentulous subjects.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to analyze the changes in the gonial angle, ramus height, condyle height and cortical bone thickness in relation to gender and dental status in elderly patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study population comprised 240 patients (age ranged from 60-69 years) who had digital panoramic radiographs taken for various purposes. One group consisted of 120 patients, 60 men and 60 women, who had all natural teeth present except for third molars. The second group consisted of the remaining 120 patients (60 men and 60 women) who were in a completely edentulous state (maxilla and mandible). The gonial angle, ramus height, condylar height and cortical bone thickness of the mandible were measured by computer software on their panoramic radiographs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Women showed larger gonial angles than men, while men had greater cortical bone thickness and ramus height (p < 0.05). However, no significant difference in condylar height was found between both genders (p > 0.05). Edentulous subjects had a larger gonial angle than dentate subjects, while dentate subjects had greater cortical bone thickness on both sides and left side of condylar height (p < 0.05). The gonial angle had statistically negative correlations with cortical bone thickness and ramus height, regardless of gender.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The outcomes of the present study indicate that the edentulous women undergo morphological changes of the mandible influenced by the dental status more than men.
authors: Department of Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
authors: Jeong-Ki
authors: JK
authors: Joo
authors: Young-Jun
authors: YJ
authors: Lim
authors: Ho-Beom
authors: HB
authors: Kwon
authors: Sug-Joon
authors: SJ
authors: Ahn
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007575:Jaw, Edentulous / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic