TMJ dimensions in three-dimensional virtual models acquired through computed tomography of cone beam as sexual dimorphism

Authors

  • Critiano de França São Paulo State University (Unesp) – Institute of Science and Technology – São José dos Campos – Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis – SP – Brazil.
  • Helena Midori Cunha São Paulo State University (Unesp) – Institute of Science and Technology – São José dos Campos – Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis – SP – Brazil.
  • Ana Amélia Barbieri São Paulo State University (Unesp) – Institute of Science and Technology – São José dos Campos – Department of Social and Pediatric Dentistry – SP – Brazil.
  • Afonso Celso Souza de Assis São Paulo State University (Unesp) – Institute of Science and Technology – São José dos Campos – Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis – SP – Brazil.
  • Luiz Roberto Coutinho Manhães-Junior São Paulo State University (Unesp) – Institute of Science and Technology – São José dos Campos – Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis – SP – Brazil.
  • Sergio Lucio Pereira de Castro Lopes São Paulo State University (Unesp) – Institute of Science and Technology – São José dos Campos – Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis – SP – Brazil.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14295/bds.2017.v20i3.1425

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to relate the dimensions of the mandibular condyle with sex and age by means of three-dimensional models obtained by cone-beam computed tomography images (CBCT). Material and Methods: 120 CBCT examinations were selected belonging to the archives of the ICT-UNESP Clinic of Radiology. They were divided into five age groups, each containing 12 individuals of each sex. Virtual three-dimensional models were then created and two measurements from each mandibular condyle were taken: anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML). The t-test was used for independent samples to compare the measurements. Results: The AP measurements only of the left side showed a statistical difference between the sexes between 31 to 40 years of age; in the ML measurements, there were statistical differences between the sexes in all age groups on both sides, except in the age group above 60 years. Conclusion: The ML measurements of the mandibular condyles, regardless of side, showed significant statistical differences between sexes and age groups, with a tendency to greater values in males, and may be a determinant factor of sexual dimorphism.

Keywords

X-Ray computed Tomography; Radiology; Sexual characteristics; Forensic anthropology; Forensic dentistry.  

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Published

2017-09-12

Issue

Vol. 20 No. 3 (2017): Jul. - Sep. / 2017 - Published September 2017

Section

Clinical or Laboratorial Research