Evaluation of alveolar bone defect in chronic periodontitis by cone-beam computed tomography

Abstract

To evaluate the morphological characteristics of alveolar bone defects of the patients with chronic periodontitis using cone-beam CT (CBCT). Sixty patients with chronic periodontitis were included in this study. CBCT was used to scan the alveolar bone and NNT software to measure the alveolar bone defects and bone loss types in different regions. Seventy-five percent (45/60) of the alveolar bone defect was the generalized type, 25% (15/60) was the localized type. In incisor and canine area, the defect of the mandibular alveolar bone was more severe than in the same sites of maxilla. There was less bone loss in the premolar area of mandible than in the same site of maxilla. In the mesial and buccal sites of mandibular molars and in the lingual site of maxillary molars, the most severe alveolar bone loss was found. The obvious alveolar bone defect areas in chronic periodontitis were the palatal side of maxillary molars and the lingual side of mandibular incisors. CBCT can clearly demonstrate the degree of alveolar bone defects in different regions of chronic periodontitis.