Radiological evaluation of the styloid process in young adults resident in Turkey's Yeditepe University faculty of dentistry.

Objectives: This study evaluated and classified the radiographic appearance of the styloid process (SP) patterns of calcification according to subject gender. The relationship between SP length and the limits of mandibular protrusion was studied.

Study Design: The panoramic radiographs of 55 young adults were analyzed. Elongated SPs were classified with the radiographic appearance based on length, morphology, and calcification pattern. The data were analyzed by using chi-squared and 1-way ANOVA with significance set at P < .05.

Results: "Elongated" (Type I) SP with "calcified outline" was the most frequent SP type and calcification pattern. No correlation was found between SP type and calcification pattern and subject gender. No differences were proven based on laterality of the SP. A relationship between mandibular protrusive movement and SP calcified length was not proven.

Conclusion: Elongation of calcification of SP in young adults is common with no correlation to gender, laterality, or mandibular protrusive limitation. "Type I" with "calcified outline" of the SP was observed most frequently in the population studied.