Oral Surgery · single question
When the mandible undergoes resorption after tooth extraction, how does its shape change?
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Correct answer: A. Mandible becomes narrower (centripetal resorption)
✓ The mandible becomes NARROWER with resorption (centripetal).
The maxilla resorbs centripetally (inward/superiorly) → becomes SMALLER and narrower. The mandible resorbs centrifugally (outward/inferiorly) → appears BROADER as the outer cortical bone remains while the alveolar ridge reduces. This creates the classic 'knife-edge' ridge pattern in the mandible and leads to the eventual reversal of the jaw relationship (pseudo-Class III).
The maxilla resorbs centripetally (inward/superiorly) → becomes SMALLER and narrower. The mandible resorbs centrifugally (outward/inferiorly) → appears BROADER as the outer cortical bone remains while the alveolar ridge reduces. This creates the classic 'knife-edge' ridge pattern in the mandible and leads to the eventual reversal of the jaw relationship (pseudo-Class III).