Volumetric characteristics of prognathic mandible revealed by skeletal unit analysis

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the skeletal units of a normal mandible (class I) and a prognathic mandible (class III), to compare the groups, and to investigate the key functional unit responsible for mandibular prognathism. Hemi-mandibles of 101 cases were evaluated by cone-beam computed tomography. Of these, 50 cases had Class I and 51 had Class III mandibles. The length, volume, and volume/length ratio of each skeletal unit were measured. The ratios of the condyle, body unit, and sum of the hemi-mandible between Class I and Class III showed statistically significant results (P<0.05). However, the ratios of angle, coronoid, and symphysis units did not show any statistical significance on comparison. Dependent on gender, in males the ratio of the condyle of the hemi-mandible showed statistically significant results (P<0.05). Meanwhile in females the ratio of the body and sum of the hemi-mandible showed statistically significant results (P<0.05). Accordingly, the mandibular body and condylar units are thinner in mandibular prognathism. On the basis of the functional matrix theory to determine the aetiology of mandibular prognathism, the key skeletal units are the body and condylar units.