Three-dimensional evaluation of mandibular lingula: Comparisons of skeletal angle classifications and growth patterns.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the position of the mandibular lingula (ML) in adult patients (aged between 18 and 35 years old) with different skeletal and growth patterns using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

DESIGN: Cross-sectional.

SETTING: Dentistry department of University.

SUBJECTS: Subjects comprised CBCT images of 150 adult patients, including 300 rami.

METHODS AND MATERIALS: In total, 150 CBCT aged between 18 and 35 were selected and divided into three main groups of 50 samples based on their skeletal relationships (classes I, II and III). Patients were subdivided based on their growth pattern (vertical vs. horizontal), resulting in 25 samples per subgroup. Distances between the mandibular lingula and occlusal plane (ML-OP), sigmoid notch (ML-SN), external oblique ridge (ML-EOR), internal oblique ridge (ML-IOR), posterior border of the ramus (ML-PBR), inferior border of the ramus (ML-IBR), and horizontal and vertical distances to the mandibular foramen (ML-hMF and ML-vMF). One-way ANOVA variance analysis was employed to compare different angle classifications, and Bonferroni analysis was used for multiple comparisons. The Student's t-test was also used to compare growth patterns within each main group and genders within the subgroup.

RESULTS: The study revealed statistically significant differences in the position of the mandibular lingula between different angle classifications, growth patterns, and genders. Class II samples showed a more anterior position of the ML, whereas Class III samples displayed a more posterior position of the ML. Patients with horizontal growth patterns and Angle Class III had a more posteriorly positioned ML. Gender differences were observed, particularly in Class I and Class III classifications, suggesting that gender may influence the variability of ML position in these specific classifications.

CONCLUSION: The position of the mandibular lingula showed high variability among individuals with different angle classifications, growth patterns and genders.