Mandibular antegonial notch depth in postpubertal individuals: A longitudinal cohort study

Abstract

Objectives To perform an epidemiological analysis of the antegonial notch depth in postpubertal individuals and to analyze the development of deep antegonial notches longitudinally in growing individuals. Material and Methods Lateral cephalograms of 302 untreated 17/18‐year‐old subjects (171 males; 131 females), from the craniofacial growth legacy collection, were analysed to measure antegonial notch depth along the mandibular plane. Sex and sagittal malocclusion were investigated as possible factors influencing notch depth. In subjects with deep antegonial notches (>1.5 standard deviation) at the age of 17/18 years, earlier lateral cephalograms at 7/8 and 13/14 years were obtained, and the magnitude of notch depth analyzed longitudinally. Linear regression analyses were used to assess correlations between antegonial notch depth and other recorded variables. Results Antegonial notch depth ranged from 0 to 5.3 mm (mean 2.0 ± 1.0 mm). Antegonial notches were significantly deeper in males (2.3 ± 1.1 mm) than females (1.5 ± 0.7 mm) (p < .001). Notch depth was on average 0.3 mm deeper in Class I than in Class II or III individuals (p = .019). Twenty‐one subjects (all male) were judged to have deep antegonial notches at the age of 17/18. In these subjects, notch depth deepened from 13/14 to 17/18 years (p < .001), whereas no change was observed between 7/8 and 13/14 years. Conclusions Antegonial notch depth shows important variation in postpubertal individuals, with males having deeper notches than females on average. In those with deep antegonial notches (all males in the present sample), notch depth increases not during prepubertal growth but during the pubertal growth spurt.

Exploring Age and Gender Identification Through Mandibular Parameters Using Orthopantomography: An Observational Study

“…Compared to females, men frequently display larger angles. This differentiation is helpful in forensic investigations when determining sex [ 20 , 21 ].…”

Analyzing Mandibular Characteristics for Age and Gender Variation Through Digital Radiographic Techniques: A Retrospective Study

“…Ant.A is calculated by drawing two lines parallel to the antegonial region and intersecting at the deepest point of the antegonial notch. Age-related processes, such as bone resorption, may change the Ant.A [23,24].…”

“…Men often have bigger angles than women. This distinction is useful for determining sex during forensic investigations [24]. The use of mandibular features to determine age and sex has significant consequences for forensic anthropology and odontology.…”

The notch of the mandible: what do different fields call it?

“…The correlation between masseter muscle activity and depth of the notch has also been observed in a normal occlusion group [ 15 ]. The notch has been found to be deeper in males than in females [ 5 , 16 ]. This difference between males and females may be caused by the difference in masseter muscle mass between the sexes.…”

“…However, there is no evidence that this notch on the mandible is due to the overlying facial vessels [ 4 ]. In adults, the depth of the notch varies with an average of 2.0±1.1 mm [ 4 , 5 ].…”