Abstract
The styloid process (SP) is a bony projection, located just anterior to the stylomastoid foramen. This study was to compare between orthopantomogram (OPG) and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) measurement of styloid process (SP) length and determine whether it is necessary to perform CBCT for accurate measurement of SP. A total of 21 subjects (13 Female and 8 Male) were included in this study. The mean age of the patient was 24.48 +/- 7 years. All patients came for dental treatment in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) and indicated for OPG. The length of the SP was measured as the distance from the point where the SP left the tympanic plate to the tip of the process using Planmeca Romexis software. Mean length of SP as measured on OPG is 23.70 +/- 1.46 mm on the right side and 24.09 +/- 1.54 on the left side and on CBCT is 27.60 +/- 1.52mm and 27.91 +/- 1.58mm on the right and left side respectively. No disparities between the measurements of SP using OPG and CBCT as well as between right and left side were observed. OPG provides reliable measurement and can still be used to measure this anatomical structure. CBCT is a valuable diagnostic imaging tool which makes accurate length measurements of SP presents with complex anatomy such as tortuous, angulation and segmentation.