Relationship between the elongated styloid process in panoramic radiographs and some of the general health conditions in patients over 40 years of age in the Iranian population

BACKGROUND: The styloid process and the attached ligaments have the potential for calcification and ossification in specific conditions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the elongated styloid process (ESP) frequency and some of the systemic health factors of patients over 40 years of age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this analytical-descriptive study, 296 panoramic radiographs of patients over 40 years of age (165 female and 131 male) referred to the Dental School of Khorasgan Azad University were selected. The length of the styloid process was measured by a special ruler and recorded in a questionnaire form. Other data such as sex, age, height, weight, blood pressure, heartbeat and the number of teeth present in the mouth were also recorded. The lengths equal to or more than 30 mm on the radiographs were considered as ESP. Data analysis were done by independent t-test, Pearson correlation coefficient and Chi-square test at a significance level of < 0.05. RESULTS: ESP was observed in 135 cases (45.6%). There was a significant relationship between ESP and the body height, weight and the blood pressure, but there was no significant correlation between ESP, the heartbeat and the number of teeth present in the mouth. CONCLUSION: Because of the significant relationship between the length of the styloid process and the blood pressure, height and weight it is reasonable to evaluate a patient's systemic health conditions when radiographic signs of ESP are observed.