Radiological study on mandibular ramus asymmetry in young population

Area of Science:

• Orthodontics and Dental Anatomy
• Radiographic Analysis

Background:

• Mandibular ramus morphology is crucial for facial growth and function.
• Asymmetries in the mandibular ramus can be associated with various craniofacial anomalies and temporomandibular joint disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of mandibular ramus asymmetry in individuals aged 9 to 21 years.
• To investigate the influence of age, gender, and growth spurt on the occurrence of ramus asymmetry.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 776 panoramic radiographs from individuals aged 9-21 (335 males, 441 females).
• Division of participants into two groups based on growth spurt timing (females: 12 years, males: 14 years).
• Bilateral ramus heights were measured using panoramic software; statistical analysis included Student's t-test and Chi-squared test.

Main Results:

• A significant prevalence of ramus asymmetry was observed in 10.8% of the study population.
• Mean ramus asymmetry was 2.90% ± 2.58%, with significant differences between right and left ramus heights (p < 0.01).
• Ramus asymmetry did not correlate significantly with age or gender in the studied population.

Conclusions:

• High prevalence of mandibular ramus asymmetry identified in adolescents and young adults.
• Ramus asymmetry requires careful evaluation across all age groups due to potential links with temporomandibular dysfunctions and orthodontic anomalies.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the etiological factors and long-term implications of ramus asymmetry.