Aspects of mandibular morphology, with specific reference to the antegonial notch and the curve of Spee

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether particular metrical traits of the mandibular antegonial notches are associated with specific mandibular growth patterns, and also with the mean depth of the curve of Spee. Thirty pre-treatment lateral cephalometric radiographs belonging to a randomly selected group of patients treated in the orthodontic clinic at the SUNY at Buffalo were digitized. The surface areas of the mandibular antegonial notches, as well as some sagittal facial dimensions were measured on each radiograph. The curve of Spee was measured directly from the pre-treatment mandibular study cast of each patient included in this study. An analysis of variance showed no statistically significant difference (p<0.01) between the measurements recorded by the two examiners who conducted this study. The results of this study showed a statistically significant positive correlation between the surface areas of the antegonial notches and the lower anterior facial heights (r= 0.87, P<0.001). At the same time a statistically significant negative correlation was found between the surface areas of the antegonial notches and the lengths of the mandibular bodies (r= -0.9, P<0.001). A significant negative statistical relationship was shown to exist between the lower anterior facial heights and the lengths of the corresponding mandibular bodies, and also between the depths of the curves of Spee and the surface area of the respective antegonial notches (r= -0.85, P< 0.002). The results of this study indicate that an increase in the areas of the antegonial notches is associated with a tendency for greater vertical growth of the mandible. The results further suggest that the depth of the curve of Spee and the length of the mandibular body are decreased when there is an increase in the surface areas of the antegonial notches.

Dimensional differences in mandibular antegonial notches in temporomandibular joint ankylosis

“…9 Depth of the curve of Spee and the length of the mandibular body are decreased when there is an increase in the surface areas of the ANs. 10 In our study also the deep AN was accompanied by the less forward growth of the mandible, hence a short body length. The clinical presence of a deep mandibular AN is indicative of a diminished mandibular growth potential and a vertically directed mandibular growth pattern.…”

Typology of the antegonial notch in the human mandible

“…Tomer and Kishani [20] also found no statistically significant correlation between the craniofacial morphology and depth of the notch. Studies by Salem et al [17] on the surface area of the antegonial notch demonstrated that larger surface area was associated with a trend for greater vertical direction of mandibular growth. They also found that the depth of the curve of Spee describing occlusion, and the length of the mandibular body decreases with increasing surface area of the antegonial notch.…”

“…MacIntosh [13] defined it as the "pregonial notch", and Henderson and Poswillo [8] described it as the "antegonial notch". The presence of the antegonial notch was reported by various researchers [2,10,17,19,20]. Information on the presence, location and depth of this notch is important for maxillofacial surgeons during orthognathic treatment of mandibular deformities [16,22].…”

Significance of curve of Spee: An orthodontic review

“…[4] In humans, an increased curve of Spee is often seen in brachycephalic facial patterns[1213] and associated with short mandibular bodies. [14]…”

“…This concept, especially as applied to deep overbite patients, has been supported by others[37–42] and produces variable results with regard to maintaining a level after treatment. [144344]…”