Changes in the edentate mandible in the elderly

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Anthropometry

Background:

• Alveolar bone resorption is a known consequence of mandibular aging in edentate (toothless) individuals.
• The broader effects of tooth loss on the elderly mandible are less understood.
• Mandibular aging impacts facial structure and masticatory function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and quantify the anthropometric differences between dentate (toothed) and edentate mandibles in individuals over 70 years old.
• To identify specific changes in mandibular morphology associated with tooth loss in the elderly.
• To differentiate aging effects from the consequences of edentulism.

Main Methods:

• An anthropometric study was conducted using antero-posterior and lateral radiographs.
• Subjects included dentate and edentate individuals over 70 years old without maxillo-mandibular dysmorphosis.
• Key mandibular measurements were analyzed to compare morphological differences.

Main Results:

• Edentate mandibles exhibited a significant decrease in symphysis height and body height.
• A significant increase in the gonial angle and mandibular incisure height was observed in edentate mandibles.
• No significant differences were found in ramus height, mandibular length, minimum ramus width, or bigonial width.

Conclusions:

• Mandibular symphysis and body height reduction in edentate subjects is attributed to alveolar bone resorption.
• Increased gonial angle and altered incisure height may result from muscle disequilibrium or the absence of the molar buttress.
• Tooth loss significantly reshapes the elderly mandible, impacting its structure beyond simple bone resorption.