Three-dimensional measurement of the coronoid process and structural consistency analysis in patients with long-face morphology.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate the morphological characteristics of the coronoid process (CP) and condyle in patients with long-face morphology (LF) and evaluate their correlations, aiming to identify potential morphological predictors for clinical diagnosis and treatment planning.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study analyzed cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) data from 68 LF patients and 69 control subjects. Nineteen parameters of the CP and condyle were evaluated in three dimensions, encompassing length, angle, curvature, and volume. Statistical analyses included chi-square and t-tests for group comparisons. Stepwise binary logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis were implemented to identify and validate independent predictors of LF. Relationships between CP and condylar parameters were examined using Pearson or Spearman correlation analyses. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was utilized to assess intraexaminer reliability.

RESULTS

The analysis revealed significant differences in width of the articular fossa (AFW), condylar anteroposterior diameter (CAD) and coronoid parameters between the LF and control groups (P < 0.05). Logistic regression identified coronoid volume (OR = 0.979, 95% CI 0.97-0.99), the sagittal coronoid angle (OR = 1.339, 95% CI 1.18-1.52), the anterior distance to the CP apex (OR = 0.70, 95% CI 0.55-0.92), the coronal coronoid angle (OR = 0.731, 95% CI 0.60-0.90), and the coronoid base length (OR = 2.747, 95% CI 1.86-4.05) as independent predictors of LF. Significant correlations were identified between the sagittal condylar parameters and multiple coronoid parameters (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

LF patients demonstrate distinct morphological alterations in both the CP and condyle. The dimensions and angular characteristics of the CP may function as auxiliary indicators for early identification and treatment planning in patients with LF morphology.