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Multicenter Study
. 2021 Nov;25(11):6365-6375.
doi: 10.1007/s00784-021-03937-1. Epub 2021 Apr 16.

Modelling growth curves of the normal infant's mandible: 3D measurements using computed tomography

Jan Aart M Schipper  1 , Manouk J S van Lieshout  2 , Stefan Böhringer  3 , Bonnie L Padwa  4 , Simon G F Robben  5 , Rick R van Rijn  6 , Maarten J Koudstaal  2 , Maarten H Lequin  7 , Eppo B Wolvius  2
Affiliations
Multicenter Study

Modelling growth curves of the normal infant's mandible: 3D measurements using computed tomography

Jan Aart M Schipper et al. Clin Oral Investig. 2021 Nov.

Abstract

Objectives: Data on normal mandibular development in the infant is lacking though essential to understand normal growth patterns and to discriminate abnormal growth. The aim of this study was to provide normal linear measurements of the mandible using computed tomography performed in infants from 0 to 2 years of age.

Material and methods: 3D voxel software was used to calculate mandibular body length, mandibular ramus length, bicondylar width, bigonial width and the gonial angle. Intra- and inter-rater reliability was assessed for these measurements. They were found to be sufficient for all distances; intra-class correlation coefficients were all above 0.9. Regression analysis for growth modelling was performed.

Results: In this multi-centre retrospective study, 109 CT scans were found eligible that were performed for various reasons (e.g. trauma, craniosynostosis, craniofacial abscesses). Craniosynostosis patients had larger mandibular measurements compared to non-craniosynostosis patients and were therefore excluded. Fifty-one CT scans were analysed.

Conclusions: Analysis showed that the mandible increases more in size vertically (the mandibular ramus) than horizontally (the mandibular body). Most of the mandibular growth occurs in the first 6 months.

Clinical relevance: These growth models provide insight into normal mandibular development in the first 2 years of life. This reference data facilitates discrimination between normal and abnormal mandibular growth.

Keywords: Growth; Infant; Mandible; Micrognathia; Normal; Three-dimensional.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Landmarking in 3D voxel imaging software Robin 3D, the gonial angle inserted as an example
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Length of the left and right ramus of the mandible (quadratic growth pattern, length in mm’s, age in days)
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Length of the left and right body of the mandible (cubic growth pattern, length in mm’s, age in days)
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Bicondylar and bigonial width of the mandible (quadratic growth pattern, length in mm’s, age in days)
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Left and right gonial angle (quadratic growth pattern, angle in degrees, age in days)
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Left and right overall mandibular growth, distance between the condyle and menthon (cubic pattern, length in mm’s, age in days)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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