Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2023 Jun 11;15(6):e40275.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.40275. eCollection 2023 Jun.

Assessment of Morphological Variations of the Coronoid Process, Condyle, and Sigmoid Notch as an Adjunct in Personal Identification Using Orthopantomograms Among the North Indian Population

Sandeep K Bains  1 , Archana Bhatia  2 , Nishant Kumar  1 , Aman Kataria  1 , Isha Balmuchu  1 , Sanjeeta Srivastava  1
Affiliations

Assessment of Morphological Variations of the Coronoid Process, Condyle, and Sigmoid Notch as an Adjunct in Personal Identification Using Orthopantomograms Among the North Indian Population

Sandeep K Bains et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study is to assess morphological variations of the coronoid process, condyle, and sigmoid notch as an adjunct in personal identification using orthopantomograms among the North Indian population.

Methodology: The study sample (n=240) was distributed into four age groups: Group I: 30 males and 30 females aged 10-19 years, Group II: 30 males and 30 females aged 20-29 years, Group III: 30 males and 30 females aged 30-39 years, and Group IV: 30 males and 30 females aged 40-59 years. All were subjected to panoramic radiographs. The different morphological forms of the coronoid process, condyle, and sigmoid notch were evaluated.

Results: The results showed that across all age groups, angular condyles were the most common kind of condyle in males, followed by round and convex types. The present study found that the coronoid process typically takes on a triangle shape across all ages and sexes. Additionally, the vast majority of cases were triangular on both sides, and this was true across both sexes. It was found in this study that the sigmoid notch most commonly took the form of a larger notch, followed by a rounder notch.

Conclusion: Using panoramic photos to portray the different morphologies of the coronoid process, condyle, and sigmoid notch can be a much simpler and faster method of identifying an individual, especially in the event of a mass disaster, so long as antemortem data are kept. The method of radiographic identification of individuals has recently gained prominence due to its efficacy. Radiographs like these can be invaluable in forensic dentistry, where they can help unearth previously hidden evidence if premortem records are retained. As a potential approach for individual identification among our population, panoramic radiographs were used to investigate the varying morphological forms of the coronoid process, condyle, and sigmoid notch.

Keywords: condyle; coronoid process; orthopantomograms; panoramic radiograph; sigmoid notch.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Orthopantomagram showing the coronoid process
The black arrow shows the coronoid process
Figure 2
Figure 2. Orthopantomagram showing the condyle
The black arrow shows the condyle
Figure 3
Figure 3. Orthopantomagram showing the sigmoid notch
The black arrow shows the sigmoid notch
Figure 4
Figure 4. Gender and side-wise distribution of condylar types in the age group of 30-39 years
Figure 5
Figure 5. Gender and side-wise distribution of coronoid types in the age group of 30-39 years
Figure 6
Figure 6. Gender and side-wise distribution of sigmoid notch types in the age group of 30-39 years
Figure 7
Figure 7. Gender and side-wise distribution of condylar types in the age group of 40-59 years
Figure 8
Figure 8. Gender and side-wise distribution of coronoid types in the age group of 40-59 years
Figure 9
Figure 9. Gender and side-wise distribution of sigmoid notch types in the age group of 40-59 years
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. The shape of the condyle and position of the meniscus in temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Juniper RP. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1994;32:71–76. - PubMed
    1. Morphologic changes in the temporomandibular joint in different age groups: an autopsy investigation. Pereira FJ Jr, Lundh H, Westesson PL. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol. 1994;78:279–287. - PubMed
    1. Impact of TMJ radiographs on clinician decision making. White SC, Pullinger AG. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 1995;79:375–381. - PubMed
    1. Condylar appearance in panoramic radiograms of asymptomatic subjects and patients with temporomandibular disorders. Honda E, Yoshino N, Sasaki T. Oral Radiol. 1994;10:43–53.
    1. Morphology of coronoid process and sigmoid notch in orthopantomograms of South Indian population. Shakya S, Ongole R, Nagraj SK. World J Dent. 2013;4:1–3.

LinkOut - more resources