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Proposed Classification System for Submandibular Gland Fossa Anatomy and Its Radiomorphometric Assessment Using
Sukriti Mukherjee1, Atul Anand Bajoria1, Sangamesh N C1
1Oral Medicine and Radiology, Kalinga Institute of Dental Sciences, Bhubaneswar, IND.
Introduction:
The morphology of the alveolar ridges in the posterior mandible has numerous variations that may have fatal complications if not assessed properly. An important aspect in the planning of dental implants is the consideration of the bone morphology and the relationship between the implant and vital anatomic structures such as nerves and blood vessels. The advancements in implantology allow for a streamlined methodology for dental implant placement with high aesthetics and patient acceptance.
Aim:
The study aimed to evaluate the depth of the submandibular gland fossa and different morphological variations in the posterior mandible using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and propose a novel classification system for the submandibular fossa depth and concavity angulation.
Methodology:
From May 2023 to July 2024, in the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology at Kalinga Institute of Dental Sciences, Bhubaneswar, a retrospective survey was conducted. The main study analyzed 100 CBCT scans of patients aged 18 to over 51 years, with equal gender distribution. For each scan, a cross-sectional image was obtained, and the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) was identified. Key measurements included the buccolingual width and depth of the sublingual concavity.
Results:
A total of 50 male and 50 female CBCT scans were assessed. The frequency of individuals in each age group was relatively similar, with counts ranging from 24 to 26. The concavity angle for male patients was found to be approximately 61.70±16.230 for the right side, whereas female patients had a mean value of 52.33±8.944 for the right side. Additionally, for the right side, male patients exhibited a mean concavity depth of 1.99±1.165, while female patients had a mean of 1.97±0.688. For the left side, male patients had a mean concavity depth of 1.99±0.958, whereas female patients exhibited a lower mean of 1.40±0.766.
Conclusion:
Gender-wise distribution of the study parameters showed that male individuals generally had higher values of concavity depth and submandibular gland fossa than female individuals. Variations of the angle showed a notable difference between genders on the right side.
