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Abstract
This study clarifies the internal structure of the mandibular condyle in dentulous and edentulous jaws; three-dimensional observation and morphological measurements were performed using micro-CT. The materials used in this study were 14 mandibular condyles each removed from the dentulous and edentulous cadavers. Internal structures of the mandibular condyle were morphologically analyzed in three anatomical planes. Additionally, morphometrical observations of the trabecular bone structure at five regions of interest and cortical bone thickness were performed. The mandibular condyle of dentulous jaws consisted predominantly of regularly aligned plate-shaped trabeculae. Conversely, edentulous jaws were predominantly irregularly aligned narrow rod-shaped trabeculae. The results of morphometrical analysis showed that trabecular separation (Tb.Sp) in the central region of the mandibular condyle most closely reflected the difference between dentulous and edentulous jaws. These results suggest that, in edentulous jaws, reduced masticatory function due to tooth loss affects the internal structures of mandibular condyle.
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Notes on contributors
Masanori Sugisaki
Dr. Masanori Sugisaki received his D.D.S. in 2003 and a Ph.D. in 2008 from Tokyo Dental College, Japan.
Hiroko Agematsu
Dr. Hiroko Agematsu received her B.H. degree in 1972 from Kitasato University, Japan and a Ph.D. in 1989 from Tokyo Dental College, Japan. Currently, she is a senior assistant professor in the Department of Anatomy at Tokyo Dental College.
Satoru Matsunaga
Dr. Satoru Matsunaga received his D.D.S. in 2003 and a Ph.D. in 2007 from Tokyo Dental College, Japan. Currently, he is an assistant professor in the Department of Anatomy at Tokyo Dental College.
Hideki Saka
Dr. Hideki Saka received his D.D.S. in 1990 and a Ph.D. in 1994 from Tokyo Dental College, Japan. Currently, he is a senior assistant professor in the Department of Anatomy at Tokyo Dental College.
Koji Sakiyama
Dr. Koji Sakiyama received his D.D.S. in 2000 and a Ph.D. in 2004 from Tokyo Dental College, Japan. Currently, he is a senior assistant professor in the Division of Anatomy, Department of Human Development and Fostering, Meikai University School of Dentistry.
Yoshinobu Ide
Dr. Yoshinobu Ide received his D.D.S. in 1974 and a Ph.D. in 1978 from Tokyo Dental College, Japan. Currently, he is a professor and chairman in the Department of Anatomy at Tokyo Dental College.