Assessment of the Relation of Mandibular Cortical Index and Gonial Angle Size in an Adult Iranian Population Using Digital Panoramic Radiography

This study sought to assess the relation of mandibular cortical index (MCI) with age, gender and gonial angle size in an Iranian adult population using digital panoramic radiography.
We evaluated 370 digital panoramic radiographs of patients and divided them into five 10-year age groups. Each radiograph was assigned to low (≤120°) or high (≥125°) angle groups in terms of the gonial angle size. The MCI class was also determined for each individual. The multinomial logistic regression was used to assess statistical differences.
The MCI class was significantly different between males and females and MCI class 3 had higher prevalence among older individuals. There was no statistically significant difference in distribution of MCI classes between individuals with high and low gonial angles.
Age-related changes in MCI support its potential use for detection of skeletal osteopenia.