Importance of teeth in maintaining the morphology of the adult mandible in humans

摘要: Edentulism can negatively affect both masticatory performance and dietary intake by altering the patterns of biomechanical stress strain, which in turn modifies morphology different regions mandible. The morphological changes mandible caused these stressors are unknown when comparing mandibles across varying dentition states. This study investigated differences human various states dentition. In total, 498 individuals between 20 80 yr age at death were sourced from Raymond A. Dart Collection Human Skeletons. These included fully dentate (n = 95), partially edentulous 333), 70) mandibles. Twelve linear anthropometric measurements derived digitized landmarks located on its external surface. Data analysis geometric morphometrics multivariate analyses. Compared with mandibles, showed a shorter alveolar height (-0.4 mm), mandibular body length (-4 larger gonial angle (+4°), more obtuse mental (+4.7°), broader bicondylar width (+3.8 taller ramus (+1.6 mm). Thus, associated an altered morphology, may result reduction jaw function.