Anthropometric analysis of the relationship between mandibular biotypes and condylar fracture patterns and degree of condylar displacement in victims of facial trauma

OBJECTIVES: This project aimed to investigate the relationship between gender, age, mandibular biotype, condylar fracture patterns, and their degree of displacement. MATERIAL AND METHODS: To this end, a sample of 200 facial trauma patients was analyzed to collect data such as age, gender, condylar fracture type, and the degree of displacement. Furthermore, computed tomography scans were analyzed to define mandibular biotypes and the degree of displacement of the condylar bone stumps. RESULTS: There was a strong and statistically significant association between mandibular biotype and the type of condylar fracture (p < 0.001). It is likely that the gender variable is associated with mandibular biotype in the analyzed sample, with V-shaped mandibles more common in women (p = 0.0004), and smaller fracture displacement angles (p = 0.01) due to a greater tendency for high fractures (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: There is relationship between mandibular biotype and its role as a marker of sexual dimorphism, in addition to its contribution to the degree of displacement and type of condylar fractures in patients who have suffered facial trauma. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Mandibular structure, such as shape, height, and width; bone density, cortical and medullary volume; and the mechanical action of the masticatory muscles can affect the variability, stability, and location of fractures, interfering with the response to the magnitude, dissipation, and direction of external mechanical forces originating from the energy of the trauma. Anthropometric study of anatomical features can provide relevant data for better forensic understanding. Regarding the mandible, it can be considered an important tool for understanding mandibular trauma, influencing diagnosis and treatment decision-making.