title: Effects of edentulism on mandibular morphology: evaluation of panoramic radiographs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to evaluate morphological changes of the mandible in edentulous and dentate subjects using panoramic radiographs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Panoramic radiographs were divided into the following three groups: Group I (completely edentulous group), Group II (old dentate group) and Group III (young dentate group). The research parameters of gonial angle, condylar height, ramus height, ramus notch depth, and antegonial notch depth were measured on panoramic radiographs. The Kruskal-Wallis statistical test was used to determine significant differences in mandibular morphological parameters among the three groups. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the subgroups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant differences were found only in ramus height between three groups. According to the Mann-Whitney U test, a significant difference was exhibited among Groups I and II in the ramus height parameter. No significant differences were found in the gonial angle, condylar height, ramus notch depth, or antegonial notch depth when comparing the young dentate, old dentate, and completely edentulous subjects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Significant differences were found only in ramus height between the groups. Ramus height may be an indicator that changed by years and tooth loss. It must be considered that ramus height can be decreased in edentulism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Osmangazi University, 26000 Eskişehir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Rıdvan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Okşayan
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Gaziantep University, 27310 Gaziantep, Turkey.
authors.forename: Bayram
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Asarkaya
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Gaziantep University, 27310 Gaziantep, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nizamettin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Palta
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Gaziantep University, 27310 Gaziantep, Turkey.
authors.forename: İrfan
authors.initials: İ
authors.lastname: Şimşek
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Gaziantep University, 27310 Gaziantep, Turkey.
authors.forename: Oral
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Sökücü
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Gaziantep University, 27310 Gaziantep, Turkey.
authors.forename: Eren
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: İşman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007575:Jaw, Edentulous / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic; D055815:Young Adult