Evaluation of Lingual Mandibular Depression of the Submandibular Salivary Glands Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography
Author(s): Sina Haghanifar, Nazanin Arbabzadegan, Ehsan Moudi, Ali Bijani, Farideh Nozari
Abstract
The current study aimed at evaluating the depth and angle of concavity of the lingual depression of the submandibular salivary glands, based on the sex, age, and side of the mandible. A total of 200 CBCT scans (400 sides of mandible) were acquired; the deepest regions of the submandibular gland fossa and the concavity angle between the alveolar crest and the upper wall of the infra-alveolar canal were measured. The statuses of the deepest regions of the fossa, compared with the infra-alveolar canal were categorized into 3 groups. Moreover, the starting point of the concavity between the alveolar crest and the infra-alveolar canal was evaluated. The mean ± SD of the depth of the submandibular gland fossa on the right side in males and females were 0.83±2.02 and 0.57±1.73 mm, and those on the left were 0.82±1.99 and 0.61±1.66 mm, respectively. Furthermore, the concavity angles on the right side in males and females were 10.1±42.8° and 9.0±42.4°, and those on the left side were 10.4±44.6° and 8.0±41.6°, respectively. There was a direct relationship between the submandibular gland fossa depth and the concavity angle. The deepest region in both sexes was above the infra-alveolar canal and the greatest starting point of concavity was found in the middle one-third of the space between the alveolar crest and the upper wall of the alveolar canal. During implant treatments, evaluation of alveolar bone thickness in the submandibular gland fossa, especially in males, is of great importance.
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