Mineralization and thickness of the condylar cortex in skeletal remains of children's mandibles: A preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the relationship between the volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD), the thickness of the condylar cortex (Tcortex) and the hemimandibular volumes (Vhemimandible) of symmetrical and asymmetrical mandibles of children.

DESIGN

The data collection consisted of 92 archeological skeletal remains of children's mandibles between 1 and 12 years old. The mandibles were digitalized with a computed tomography (CT) scan, and three dimensional models were obtained. Vhemimandible was calculated using the optimal symmetry plane. The volumes were used to calculate the asymmetry index (AI). Mandibles with an AI of ≥ 3% (N = 9) and a sample of the most symmetrical mandibles (N = 9) were selected for this research. Three groups were created: a symmetrical, an asymmetrical and a pooled group. Micro-CT was used to measure the vBMD and Tcortex in four volumes of interest. The AI was calculated for these parameters as well.

RESULTS

Significant correlations were found between the vBMD and the Tcortex in the pooled group (P < .01) and between the AI of the vBMD and the AI of the Tcortex in the pooled (P < .01) and symmetrical group (P < .05). No significant correlations were found between the vBMD and the Vhemimandible and between the respective AIs. Between the Tcortex and the Vhemimandible a significant correlation was found in the pooled and asymmetrical group.

CONCLUSION

There is a relationship between the vBMD and the Tcortex. The correlations between the Tcortex and the Vhemimandible are insufficient to draw firm conclusions. A relationship between the vBMD and Vhemimandible was not confirmed in this study.