IADR Abstract Archives
Differences in Mandibular Bone Measurements in Comparing Race and Sex Using Human Skulls
Objectives: Anatomical differences probably underlie some of cases with temporomandibular joint symptoms. In this study, we evaluated the differences in mandibular bone measures between sexes and races (Black, White, Asian).
Methods: Measurements were made using sixty-one skulls from the University of Pittsburgh, School of Dental Medicine collection. Each skull was documented whether it was male or female, and categorized by race. Various measurements were conducted, including lines of the condyle in coronal and lateral view for both sides (CR=coronal right side, CL= coronal left side, LR= lateral right side, LL=lateral left side), left and right line of the condyle to coronoid process, and left and right condyle to the base of the mandible. Differences in the measurements were then assessed between sex and race, and values were computed, with 95% confidence intervals calculated (p-values ≤ 0.05 were considered statistically significant).
Results: In comparing measurements between sexes, the male skulls tend to have greater measurements in all the different variables measured. In comparing average measurements between races, despite not statistically significant, Blacks had the greatest measurements in LR and left condyle to coronoid process. The smallest measurements were most observed in Whites, in the CR, LR, LL, and left condyle to coronoid process variables. Blacks had the smallest measurements in the CL, right condyle to mandible, and left condyle to mandible variables. Asians had the smallest measurements for the right condyle to coronoid process. Even though the average values are distributed among different races, Whites have the greatest maximum value and the smallest minimum value among all of the variables.
Conclusions: This study illustrates that there are differences in mandible bone measurements among humans, both based on sex and likely on race. As expected, males had larger overall measurements compared to females. When observing race, there is a trend for a different distribution of measurements between the races and variables. Variation based on sex and ethnic background suggests a polygenic nature that likely underlies temporomandibular joint dysfunction.
Methods: Measurements were made using sixty-one skulls from the University of Pittsburgh, School of Dental Medicine collection. Each skull was documented whether it was male or female, and categorized by race. Various measurements were conducted, including lines of the condyle in coronal and lateral view for both sides (CR=coronal right side, CL= coronal left side, LR= lateral right side, LL=lateral left side), left and right line of the condyle to coronoid process, and left and right condyle to the base of the mandible. Differences in the measurements were then assessed between sex and race, and values were computed, with 95% confidence intervals calculated (p-values ≤ 0.05 were considered statistically significant).
Results: In comparing measurements between sexes, the male skulls tend to have greater measurements in all the different variables measured. In comparing average measurements between races, despite not statistically significant, Blacks had the greatest measurements in LR and left condyle to coronoid process. The smallest measurements were most observed in Whites, in the CR, LR, LL, and left condyle to coronoid process variables. Blacks had the smallest measurements in the CL, right condyle to mandible, and left condyle to mandible variables. Asians had the smallest measurements for the right condyle to coronoid process. Even though the average values are distributed among different races, Whites have the greatest maximum value and the smallest minimum value among all of the variables.
Conclusions: This study illustrates that there are differences in mandible bone measurements among humans, both based on sex and likely on race. As expected, males had larger overall measurements compared to females. When observing race, there is a trend for a different distribution of measurements between the races and variables. Variation based on sex and ethnic background suggests a polygenic nature that likely underlies temporomandibular joint dysfunction.