Normative Morphometry of Adult Sudanese Mandible: A 3D Computerized Tomography Based Study

Mandible being largest and strongest bone of skull, having various morphological features may show changes with reference to age, gender and race. The aims of this study were to characterize the mandible and to find out if there is age /gender related differences as well as to establish a local reference for the Sudanese mandible measurements. In this descriptive study, the facial computerized tomography scans were obtained from 160 subjects (92males and 68 females) .The population of the study was categorized in six ages (15to24, 25to34, 35to44, 45to54, 55to64 and ages˃65 years old). Volume rendering three-dimensional reconstruction technique was used. Specific parts of the mandible were measured and the data were analyzed using SPSS program version 16. Results showed that the Bicondylar breadth, Bigonial breadth, Mandibular body length and Mandibular symphysis height, differ significantly between the two genders at p≤0.000. Correlation coefficient showed a significant relation between the patient’s age and Bi condylar breadth (R 2 =0.360). A new established equation and a local reference for Sudanese Bicondylar breadth measurement were established. This study presents a new morphologic indicator of age in the human mandible for Sudanese.