Statistical investigation of mandibular dimensions for the planning of a series of mandibular corpus replacements

The mandibular corpus height, the width measured at the height of the foramina mental and at a distance of 3 mm from the base, the mandibular corpus length and the mandibular angle were examined in 368 (185 male, 167 female, and 34 uncertain) intact, European anthropologic skulls. The differences between the left and right sides and the two sexes were evaluated. No significant difference was found between the two sides. The differences between males and females did prove statistically significant, but was considered unimportant with regard to the aim of planning a series of mandibular prostheses. The experimental data were broken down into five classes, and the class medians were taken to be the dimensions for the replacements. For a five-piece series, the relative percentage distribution of the class medians suggests the following proportions for production (mean -2SD and mean +2SD 6%, mean -SD and mean +SD 25% and mean 38%). Mandibles with these average dimensions can be chosen from the anthropologic collection, wax models of which may facilitate the planning of a series of mandibular corpus prostheses.