Buccal Bone Thickness Overlying Maxillary Anterior Teeth: A Clinical and Radiographic Prospective Human Study.

Abstract

The aim of this work was to measure the facial bone thickness overlying maxillary anterior teeth according to the periodontal biotype, the tooth position, and the bucco-palatal inclination of the tooth. CBCTs of 47 patients were included. The periodontal biotype and the bucco-palatal inclination were examined for all maxillary anterior teeth as well as the sagittal tooth position according to the classification of Kan et al. Buccal bone thickness was measured at 4, 6, 8, and 10 mm apical to the cement-enamel junction (CEJ). At 4 mm from the CEJ, mean buccal bone thickness was 1.0 mm for all teeth and it decreased gradually and significantly in apical direction (6, 8, and 10 mm). A thin biotype was associated with a labial plate thickness half that of a thick biotype at all 4 distances from the CEJ. Class IV of Kan et al classification presented the thinnest facial bone (0.32-0.54 mm), whereas Class III demonstrated the thickest one (1.26-2.09 mm) at all distances from the CEJ. At 10 mm from the CEJ, the facial bone thickness increased with the vestibulo-palatal inclination of the tooth. A thin facial bone wall overlies almost all maxillary anterior teeth.