Assessment of the symphysis and its correlation with antegonial notch in dakshina kannada population: The influence of gender and facial type

Background: The aim was to describe the morphology of the mandibular symphysis and its correlation with the antegonial notch in adults from Dakshina Kannada with well-balanced faces and normal occlusion, individualized in terms of gender and facial type variables. Methodology: 90 pre-treatment cephalometric radiographs of Dakshina Kannada patients in the age group of 18-35 years, who presented with well-balanced face and normal occlusion were included. The sample was standardized according to gender and facial types. Various angular and linear measurements were carried out. Results: No significant difference were found among the male and female subjects, except for the inclination and height of mandibular symphysis as well as the antegonial notch depth. Also, the brachyfacial group presented a higher degree of inclination of the alveolar and basal symphysis with increased thickness whereas more anterior projection of mandibular symphysis was exhibited by the dolichofacial group. Significant correlation was seen between the notch depth and anterior projection, height and thickness of the symphysis. Conclusion: The symphyseal height and the depth of the antegonial notch were more in males. The brachyfacial types exhibited a greater dentoalveolar inclination and a broader basal symphysis while dolichofacial types presented with an increased projection of the symphysis anteriorly. A highly significant correlation was seen between the antegonial notch and the height, thickness and anterior projection of mandibular symphysis.