Morphology of Coronoid Process of the Mandible.

Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the morphological types of the coronoid process. This study is to determine the variation in shape in the coronoid process of the mandible.Materials and Method:In the study, 30 unsexed dry human adult mandibles were examined from the Department of Anatomy, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals. They were properly analyzed and the morphology of coronoid processes of each mandible was noted and tabulated. Results: The results show that the prevalence of mandibles with coronoid processes having hook shaped (48.33%) was the most common. This was then followed by triangular shaped (31.66%) and the least common of all is the round shaped coronoid process (20%). Conclusion: Knowledge of the morphological shapes of the coronoid process is useful for the maxillofacial surgeon during reconstructive surgeries. The mandibular coronoid process has been used as a donor site for sinus augmentation. The shape of the coronoid process is also useful in anthropological studies and in forensic dentistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]