Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Associations between mandibular symphysis form and craniofacial structures

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Oral Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objectives

This study aimed to (1) analyze the relationships between mandibular symphysis characteristics (height, prominence, inclination, concavity, and convexity) and facial pattern, skeletal class, lower incisor position, and sex, and (2) determine the associations between the symphysis soft tissue dimensions and the underlying osseous structures.

Methods

Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images were selected for 385 patients (206 women and 179 men). The patients were classified according to their skeletal class and vertical pattern. The lower incisor inclination (IMPA) was recorded. Twelve measurements were taken for each mandibular symphysis using Invivo5 software (Anatomage, San Jose, CA, USA).

Results

Symphyseal measurements were larger in males than in females. Skeletal Class II and III hyperdivergent patients showed the highest symphysis height values. Hypodivergent individuals showed lower symphysis convexity angles. Concavity of the symphysis was greater for Class II hyperdivergent patients. Lower incisor inclination showed a positive correlation with symphysis concavity and inclination. Moderate and weak correlations were found between hard tissue and soft tissue parameters.

Conclusions

Only a few characteristics of symphysis morphology depend on sex, incisor position, skeletal class, and vertical pattern. More significant relationships are found when the vertical pattern and skeletal class are analyzed in combination. The shape of the symphysis soft tissue is not directly correlated with the underlying skeletal structures.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Nanda RS, Meng H, Kapila S, Goorhuis J. Growth changes in the soft tissue facial profile. Angle Orthod. 1990;60:177–90.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Hoenig JF. Sliding osteotomy genioplasty for facial aesthetic balance: 10 years of experience. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2007;31:384–91.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Merrifield LL. The profile line as an aid in critically evaluating facial esthetics. Am J Orthod. 1996;52:804–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Shindoi JM, Matsumoto Y, Sato Y, Ono T, Harada K. Soft tissue cephalometric norms for orthognathic and cosmetic surgery. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2013;71:e24–30.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Buschang PH, Julien K, Sachdeva R, Demirjian A. Childhood and pubertal growth changes of the human symphysis. Angle Orthod. 1992;62:203–10.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Peck H, Peck S. A concept of facial esthetics. Angle Orthod. 1970;40:284–318.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Riedel RA. An analysis of dentofacial relationships. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 1975;43:103–19.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Leung CC, Palomo L, Griffith R, Hans MG. Accuracy and reliability of cone-beam computed tomography for measuring alveolar bone height and detecting bony dehiscences and fenestrations. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2010;137:S109–19.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Sun L, Zhang L, Shen G, Wang B, Fang B. Accuracy of cone-beam computed tomography in detecting alveolar bone dehiscences and fenestrations. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2015;147:313–23.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Gu Y, McNamara JA Jr, Sigler LM, Baccetti T. Comparison of craniofacial characteristics of typical Chinese and Caucasian young adults. Eur J Orthod. 2011;33:205–11.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Sherwood RJ, Hlusko LJ, Duren DL, Emch VC, Walker A. Mandibular symphysis of large-bodied hominoids. Hum Biol. 2005;11:735–59.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Talbert L, Kau CH, Christou T, Vlachos C, Souccar N. A 3D analysis of Caucasian and African American facial morphologies in a US population. J Orthod. 2014;41:19–29.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Al-Khateeb SN, Al Maaitah EF, Abu Alhaija ES, Badran SA. Mandibular symphysis morphology and dimensions in different anteroposterior jaw relationships. Angle Orthod. 2014;84:304–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Arruda KEM, Valladares-Neto J, Almeida GA. Assessment of the mandibular symphysis of Caucasian Brazilian adults with well-balanced faces and normal occlusion: the influence of gender and facial type. Dent Press J Orthod. 2012;17:40–50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Swasty D, Lee J, Huang JC, Maki K, Gansky SA, Hatcher D, et al. Cross sectional human mandibular morphology as assessed in vivo by cone-beam computed tomography in patients with different vertical facial dimensions. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2011;139:e377–89.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Tsunori M, Mashita M, Kasai K. Relationship between facial types and tooth and bone characteristics of the mandible obtained by CT scanning. Angle Orthod. 1998;68:557–62.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Yamada C, Kitai N, Kakimoto N, Murakami S, Furukawa S, Takada K. Spatial relationships between the mandibular central incisor and associated alveolar bone in adults with mandibular prognathism. Angle Orthod. 2007;77:766–72.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Yu Q, Pan XG, Ji GP, Shen G. The association between lower incisal inclination and morphology of the supporting alveolar bone–a cone-beam CT study. Int J Oral Sci. 2009;1:217–23.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  19. Molina-Berlanga N, Llopis-Perez J, Flores-Mir C, Puigdollers A. Lower incisor dentoalveolar compensation and symphysis dimensions among Class I and III malocclusion patients with different facial vertical skeletal patterns. Angle Orthod. 2013;83:948–55.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Subtelny JD. A longitudinal study of soft tissue facial structures and their profile characteristics, defined in relation to underlying skeletal structures. Am J Orthod. 1959;45:481–507.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Macari AT, Hanna AE. Comparisons of soft tissue chin thickness in adult patients with various mandibular divergence patterns. Angle Orthod. 2014;84:708–14.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Misch K, Wang HL. Implant surgery complications: etiology and treatment. Implant Dent. 2008;17:159–68.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Mordenfeld A, Andersson L, Bergström B. Hemorrhage in the floor of the mouth during implant placement in the edentulous mandible: a case report. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants. 1997;12:558–61.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Ricketts RM. Cephalometric synthesis. Angle Orthod. 1961;31:141–56.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Steiner CC. Cephalometrics for you and me. Am J Orthod. 1953;39:729.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Tweed CH. The diagnostic facial triangle in the control of treatment objectives. Am J Orthod. 1969;55:651–67.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Subramaniam P, Naidu P. Mandibular dimensional changes and skeletal maturity. Contemp Clin Dent. 2010;1:218–22.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors thank William James Packer for translating the manuscript into English.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Orthodontics Department, University of Valencia, Clínica Odontológica UV, C/Gascó Oliag no. 1, 46010, Valencia, Spain

    Yolanda Gómez, Verónica García-Sanz, Natalia Zamora, Beatriz Tarazona, Carlos Bellot-Arcís & Vanessa Paredes-Gallardo

  2. Orthodontics Department, Division of Orthodontics, University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, 515 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA

    Erik Langsjoen

Authors
  1. Yolanda Gómez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Verónica García-Sanz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Natalia Zamora
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Beatriz Tarazona
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Carlos Bellot-Arcís
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Erik Langsjoen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Vanessa Paredes-Gallardo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Verónica García-Sanz.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

Yolanda Gómez, Verónica García-Sanz, Natalia Zamora, Beatriz Tarazona, Carlos Bellot-Arcís, Erik Langsjoen, and Vanessa Paredes-Gallardo declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Human rights statements

All procedures followed were in accordance with the ethical standards of the responsible committee on human experimentation (institutional and national) and with the Helsinki Declaration of 1964 and later versions.

Informed consent

Informed consent was obtained from all patients for being included in the study.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Gómez, Y., García-Sanz, V., Zamora, N. et al. Associations between mandibular symphysis form and craniofacial structures. Oral Radiol 34, 161–171 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11282-017-0292-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11282-017-0292-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation