Evaluation of localization of the mandibular lingula in children: A retrospective CBCT study

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the anatomical localization of mandibular lingula in children aged between 6 and 18.

Methods

In this study, 192 children were included. Patients were divided into three groups according to the age range as follows: aged 6 to 9, aged 9 to 13 and aged 14 to 18. cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) was used for linear measurements. Six reference points were measured to lingula in the study: posterior, anterior and inferior aspect of the ramus, sigmoid notch, occlusal plane and distal aspect of the first molar.

Results

In children aged 6–9 years, 10–13 years and 14–18 years; mean distances to the distal surface of the mandibular first molar were 23.27 mm, 28.71 mm, 36.26 mm, respectively. The lingula moved in a superior direction with age. Mean distance to the occlusal plane were 0.575 mm, 0.96 mm, 2.61 mm in patients aged 6–9 years, 10–13 years, 14–18 years; respectively. Mean distances from the sigmoid notch among children at 6–9 age, 10–13 age and 14–18 age were found to be 14.49 mm, 17.81 mm and 19.62 mm; respectively.

Conclusion

Mandibular lingula was nearly the same level with occlusal plane aged between 6 and 14 (0.77 mm). In children 14–18 aged, lingula was approximately 2.61 mm above the occlusal plane. The parameters were found to be different in gender. It was found that the measurements were higher in males.