Morphometric analysis of Bonwill's triangle and its dental applications in dry human mandible bones

Abstract

Bonwill's triangle is an imaginary equilateral triangle formed when the centers of two condyles and each condyle with the medial mandibular incisal midpoint are joined. The dimensions of the tooth, with other bones of cranium, and the entire anatomical structure of body are in persistent association with the distance of the borders of the triangle. It can be used to study articulation of the mandible, complete dentures, and dental occlusion and can be related when treating mandibular fractures. The aim is to analyze the variations in the length of Bonwill's triangle in dry human mandibles and its dental implications. Forty dry human mandibles were taken to carry out this study. Distances between the center of the right condylar process to the inner medial mandibular incisal midpoint (A), the distance between the center of the left condylar process to the inner medial mandibular incisal midpoint (B), and the distance between the centers of right and left condylar process of mandible (C) were measured with the aid of digital vernier caliper. The statistics was evaluated and observed using the statistical analysis software SPSS (Version 20.0) and the mean and standard deviation was calculated. The mean length between right condyle center and medial mandibular incisal midpoint is 97.76 mm, between left condyle center and medial mandibular incisal midpoint is 98.55 mm, and between the right and left condyle centers is 97.39 mm. The values are almost equal to 4 inches. The mandibular measurements serve as an important factor for many clinical conditions especially related to dentistry. The results of this study can be of great significance when treating mandibular fractures and defects.

Keywords

• anatomical bony landmark
• anthropometry
• condylar process
• dental applications
• lower jaw