Styloid Process Elongation - A Cross Sectional Study in North Western Part of India

Introduction: Elongated styloid process (ESP) is being more often seen in panoramic radiographs which are commonly used in dental practice. The panoramic radiograph shows less limitation when used to make measurements of ESP, such as the superimposition of other skeletal structures as a clear image of the basal part of the stylohyoid complex is obscured in other extra oral structures. Aims and Objectives: To evaluate the magnitude of occurrence of elongated styloid process of the patients who were attending the dental OPD of Oral Medicine and Radiology Department of Jaipur Dental College. Materials & methods: It is across sectional study based on the panoramic radiographs of patients who reported to the department during the months of January to November 2012. Type and Pattern of Calcification of both the left and right side were analyzed independently and the length was measured using the Kodak imaging soft ware. Styloid process measuring more than 30mm were considered as elongated. All data collected was analyzed using statistical analysis software (SPSS version 17, Chicago, USA). The chi-square test, unpaired t test, and one-way ANOVA were used for analysis with significance level < .05 Results: 52.430.o subjects had elongation in the styloid process with an increase in the length of the styloid process as sage increased and was most commonly seen in the age group between 61-70 yrs. Conclusion: Since the prevalence of an elongated styloid process was found to be higher in this study, awareness could be spread among people, who are prone to styloid process elongation, especially rural populations where individuals have a fibrous diet & chewing habits which leads to clenching of the jaw muscles and increases the weight loading of the styloid bilaterally and promotes ossification.