Evaluation of the Submandibular Fossa Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography

The purpose of this study was to assess submandibular fossa anatomy using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and to determine its relationship with dental status, age, and gender. A total of 230 patients (mean age 43.24±17.70 years; 96 males and 134 females) comprising 101 edentulous and 129 dentate patients were included. CBCT images were utilized to measure depth of the submandibular fossa (SFdepth) and distance from its deepest point to the mental foramen (SFdistance). Radiological characteristics of the submandibular fossa were compared with age, gender, and dental status. Analysis of 460 half-jaw mandibles revealed 239 (52%) type I, 175 (38%) type II, and 46 (10%) type III mandibles. The SFdepth of dentate patients (2.21±0.68 mm) was significantly greater compared to edentulous patients (1.80±0.73 mm, p<0.001). In both dentate and edentulous patients, the mean SFdepth of males (2.42±0.73 mm and 2.03±0.82 mm, respectively) was significantly greater than that of females (2.07±0.61 mm and 1.62±0.59 mm, respectively, p<0.001). Among dentate patients, the deepest point of the submandibular fossa was most commonly located at the level of the second molar (79.8%). Submandibular fossa was shallower in edentulous patients compared to dentate patients. SFdepth was greater in male patients than in female patients.