Evaluating the Topographic and Quantitative Differences of the Mandibular Symphysis Area Between Males and Females Egyptians Using CBCT Scans: a Cross-sectional Study

Retrospective Data Analysis will be performed after the CBCT images are pooled from the computer database.

* Exposure parameters of the scans will vary depending on patients' sizes (according to the manufacturer's recommendations).
* Images showing lower anterior mandibular teeth with 0.2 -0.4 voxel sizes will be reviewed.
* The topography and the quantity of the mandibular symphysis area will be assessed through the different planes: sagittal, coronal and axial cuts as well as assessing the prevalence of MIC and its distance from inferior border of the mandible if detected. Correlation of results according to gender and age (3 age sub-groups per gender:18-35, 36- 55, 56-75).
* CBCT images will be interpreted by oral and maxillofacial radiologist; blinded from demographic data of the patients.
* radiologist (Principle investigator) will evaluate the images for assessing the topography and quantity of bone in symphysial area through measuring dimensions of mandibular symphysis. Then will re-evaluate twice with a time lag of two weeks between the two reading sessions. The assistant supervisor will evaluate percentage of the scans. Any disagreement will be solved by consensus between the two observers.
* The measurements will be carried out by the principle observer (PY) and will be repeated 2 weeks later for intra-observer reliability assessment.
* Mandibular scans will be collected from planmeca machine, with 0.2-0.4 voxel size to be viewed on Romexis software to do the measurements of mandibular symphysis. Vertical height will be measured from the apices of anterior teeth to inferior border of the mandible from the sagittal and coronal cuts with the orientation lines parallel to the buccal cortical plate. Also, the sagittal cuts will be used to determine the depth of the labial bone, from the apices of anterior teeth the labial cortical plate with the orientation lines parallel to the buccal cortical plate (Safi, Yaser et al.,2021) Whilst horizontal dimension (width) will be measured along the outer surface of the labial cortical bone, which is determined from the inter-foraminal distance. 3D slicer software will be used for this curved measurement on the axial plane, since Romexis software can only do the linear and angular measurements (Lee , Kim et al, 2014).

Also, the sagittal reformatted cuts will be used for the determination of the topography of bone in symphysial area; either class I, II or III (Jussara Constantino, et al., 2018) Radiographs showing the different topographic types Radiograph A: Type I, B: Type II and C: Type III

• Through scrolling in sagittal, coronal cuts and the reformatted panoramic view the prevalence of mandibular incisive nerve will be detected (Borghesi, Andrea et al., 2022).

After collecting the whole data, statistically will be correlated to the age and gender.


Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. patients' age between (18-75) years, so that the anatomical features of the permanent dentition could be evaluated.
2. Mandibular CBCT images with fully or partially edentulous anterior teeth.
3. No history or presence of any pathological condition in the mandible

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Poor image quality
2. presence of artifact that impairs the diagnostic quality
3. Presence of any pathological condition in the mandible