Study of Symphyseal Height and Symphyseal Angle in Dentulous and Edentulous Mandibles

Introduction: Mandible, also known as lower jaw, is the largest bone of skeleton of face. Symphysis menti is primary cartilaginous joint that ossifies completely by first year of life. The morphometric parameters of mandible are important in the diagnosis and treatment of mandibular symphyseal fractures especially in deciding size of implants. Aim and Objectives: The present study was undertaken to evaluate height of symphysis and symphyseal angle. Material and Methods: The parameters were measured in 110 macerated and dry mandibles from various medical colleges in western Maharashtra region. Results: In the present study, mean symphyseal height in dentulous group of mandibles was found to be 26.72 mm while in edentulous group, it was 22.22 mm. As well as, mean symphyseal angle in dentulous group of mandibles was found to be 65.02o while in edentulous group, it was 65.91o. These findings of this study will be useful to anatomists, implantologists, orthodontists, archeologists, forensic legal experts and maxillofacial surgeons.