Modelling growth curves of the normal infant’s mandible: 3D measurements using computed tomography

Jan Aart M. Schipper*, Manouk J.S. van Lieshout, Stefan Böhringer, Bonnie L. Padwa, Simon G.F. Robben, Rick R. van Rijn, Maarten J. Koudstaal, Maarten H. Lequin, Eppo B. Wolvius

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)
55 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Objectives: Data on normal mandibular development in the infant is lacking though essential to understand normal growth patterns and to discriminate abnormal growth. The aim of this study was to provide normal linear measurements of the mandible using computed tomography performed in infants from 0 to 2 years of age. Material and methods: 3D voxel software was used to calculate mandibular body length, mandibular ramus length, bicondylar width, bigonial width and the gonial angle. Intra- and inter-rater reliability was assessed for these measurements. They were found to be sufficient for all distances; intra-class correlation coefficients were all above 0.9. Regression analysis for growth modelling was performed. Results: In this multi-centre retrospective study, 109 CT scans were found eligible that were performed for various reasons (e.g. trauma, craniosynostosis, craniofacial abscesses). Craniosynostosis patients had larger mandibular measurements compared to non-craniosynostosis patients and were therefore excluded. Fifty-one CT scans were analysed. Conclusions: Analysis showed that the mandible increases more in size vertically (the mandibular ramus) than horizontally (the mandibular body). Most of the mandibular growth occurs in the first 6 months. Clinical relevance: These growth models provide insight into normal mandibular development in the first 2 years of life. This reference data facilitates discrimination between normal and abnormal mandibular growth.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)6365-6375
Number of pages11
JournalClinical Oral Investigations
Volume25
Issue number11
Early online date16 Apr 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2021

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
We would like to thank Hidde Galema for performing the inter-rater reliability measurements.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021, The Author(s).

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