Edentulousness in relation to remodeling of the gonial angles and incisures in dentate and edentate mandibles: morphometric study using the Image J software.

PURPOSE: The human mandible is subject to stimuli during its growth phase and also in adulthood. One of these stimuli may be absence of teeth, which gives rise to mandibular remodeling. Morphological changes may occur in different areas of this bone, such as in the gonial, condylar and ramus regions. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of edentulousness on remodeling of the gonial angle of the mandible and the angle formed by the mandibular incisure. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Eighty-five dry mandibles from adults were examined: 42 from males and 43 from females. The mandibles were photographed using a camera coupled to a static support that was positioned 20 cm from the object to be photographed. The images were digitized and transferred to the Image J 1.42q software, in which the gonial angle of the mandible and the mandibular incisure angle were measured. RESULTS: There were no differences in the mandibular and mandibular incisure angles in relation to presence or absence of teeth, or between the right and left sides. The mandibular incisure angle was greater in the women. CONCLUSION: Edentulousness did not cause remodeling of the gonial angle of the mandible or in the mandibular incisure angle.