Mandibular antegonial notch depth in postpubertal individuals: A longitudinal cohort study

Abstract

Objectives: To perform an epidemiological analysis of the antegonial notch depth in postpubertal individuals and to analyze the development of deep antegonial notches longitudinally in growing individuals. Material and Methods: Lateral cephalograms of 302 untreated 17/18-year-old subjects (171 males; 131 females), from the craniofacial growth legacy collection, were analysed to measure antegonial notch depth along the mandibular plane. Sex and sagittal malocclusion were investigated as possible factors influencing notch depth. In subjects with deep antegonial notches (>1.5 standard deviation) at the age of 17/18 years, earlier lateral cephalograms at 7/8 and 13/14 years were obtained, and the magnitude of notch depth analyzed longitudinally. Linear regression analyses were used to assess correlations between antegonial notch depth and other recorded variables. Results: Antegonial notch depth ranged from 0 to 5.3 mm (mean 2.0 ± 1.0 mm). Antegonial notches were significantly deeper in males (2.3 ± 1.1 mm) than females (1.5 ± 0.7 mm) (p