The human chin and its relationship to mandibular morphology

This study evaluated the proportion of the external chin (protuberantia mentalia) in relation to the total symphyseal area in normal jaws and those with a diverse morphology. A sample of 60 cases was randomly selected and divided into three groups of 20 each on the basis of normal growth, horizontal growth and vertical growth with an open bite. Tracings of lateral dn frontal radiographs were used to describe general mandibular form and to determine the percentage of external/total symphyseal area. Dental casts were also examined to determine a basal arch form ratio. The results of this study indicate that the amount of bony chin present is related to certain morphologic features of the mandible. The most significant findings illustrate: 1. The chin increases in size as the mandibular type varies from a vertical type, to a normal type, to a horizontal type of growth pattern. 2. With dental "hypofunction" in combination with an exaggerated vertical development of the mandible, a smaller proportion of the protruding chin is present. 3. The chin increases in size as the mandibular basal arch form varies from a tapered shape for the vertical cases to a more square form in the horizontal cases. 4. The degree of lateral ramal flair does not appear to influence the proportion of protruding chin present. Several models have been presented which attempt to explain protuberantia mentalia variation. The evidence in this study supports the concept that mandibular morphology is the result of the action of compensative adaption in a developing structure. There appears to be an implied polygenic influence on symphyseal morphology operating from the cartilaginous cranial base and mandibular basilar bone. This may be manifested in the relative proportion of mandibular basal bone to cranial base width, and to the vector of cranial base growth. The ultimate proportion of the bony chin is viewed to be the result of mandibular adaption to a functional musculoskeletal balance in the craniofacial complex. The extreme variability of chin form in man may be considered to be the result of compensative growth developing in response to the most structurally efficient jaw form, the contiguous soft and hard tissue environment, and the intrinsic genotype of the mandible.