Evaluation of Mandibular Ramus Area According to Age and Gender Using Computed Tomography

Abstract

Background:Ramus area is an important landmark of the mandiblular bone which influenced by gender ,age and dental status. Objective: To evaluated the changes occur in this part of the mandible (ramus height ,ramus depth and bone density)to investigate the effect of age and gender on mandibular ramus shape and density using computed tomography. Patients and Methods: A total 100 patients CT scan (prospective study)panoramic view were evaluated and divided into 4 groups each group includes 25 patients(1st male group 50years,2nd male <50years,3rd female group50 years and 4th female group <50years.) Ramus height ,depth and bone density in this part were measured .All the samples were class I skeletal pattern and good dental status, All the sample was with semi- full set of teeth to avoid the effect of dental status on the results of this study as minimum as possible. Results: The effect of age was obvious on ramus height ,Bone Density was significant and highly significant respectively ,while the depth non-significant at compare the age only not regarded to gender(50sample young less than 50years and the same older than 50years) .The effect of age with gender were compare female and male above 50y showed ramus height ,Bone Density were significant and highly significant(p-value=0.01and p=0.00) for bone density, while the ramus depth non-significant. Females with age had decreased in bone density and increased in ramus height rather than male with same age group(hormonal effect).Males groups comparison ramus height p=0.01 significant ,Bone Density p=0.00 H. Significant. Ramus depth was non-significant(males groups) that explain the other factors like( smocking ,nutrition ,habit ) affected this part in same pattern that hormonal effect on women. Conclusion: This study explained the effect of age and gender on the ramus area the ramus height ,bone density play important role in significances determination rather than ramus depth .This landmark (ramus area)could be implicating in forensic dentistry as an aid in gender determination.