Styloid process elongation according to age and gender: a radiological study

The aim of the study was to investigate the ossification patterns and types of elongated styloid process (ESP) in relation to age and gender in patients attending the Medunsa Oral Health Centre at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University. Out of the 102 panoramic images evaluated, 40.2% and 59.8% were male and female patients respectively. Type I ESP was the most frequent type (59.1%), followed by Type III (24.8%), Type II (9.4%) and Type IV (7.7%). The Type A calcified outline pattern of ossification was the most common (48.9%), followed by Type D (28.9%), Type C (14.1%) and Type B (8.1%). Panoramic images are vital in evaluating ESP seen as incidental findings and dental practitioners need to be aware of its variations.