Influence of age and gender in the assessment of inter-radicular and cortical bone thickness of the anterior maxilla and mandible for the placement of orthodontic mini-implants by cone-beam computed tomography: A retrospective study

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the cortical bone thickness in the anterior maxilla and mandible for the placement of orthodontic mini-implant in different age and gender using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Objectives: To determine whether the studied anatomic measurements vary with age and gender of the patients and to determine the optimal sites for mini-implant placement by measuring inter-radicular and cortical bone thickness in the anterior maxilla and mandible. Materials and Methods: CBCT images of 120 (60 males and 60 females) patients were divided into three age groups (15–20, 21–30, and 31–40 years). Measurements were done for each inter-radicular space in the anterior maxilla and mandible at four different depths, i.e., at a distance from cementoenamel junction (CEJ) up to 3, 5, 7, and 9 mm apical to CEJ. The mesiodistal (MD), buccolingual (BL), Palartal cortical (PC), Lingual Cortical (LC) bone thickness was measured. Results: The mean measurement of MD, BL and buccal cortical (BC), and PC/LC cortical bone thickness on both sides of the maxilla at 9 mm is highest at distal to 13 and 23; in the mandible, it is highest between 42 and 43, 32 and 33. BL width at 3, 5, 7, and 9 mm is significantly highest in the maxilla in males. In mandible BL, width at 3 mm was significantly highest in males. PC thickness at 3mm (1.856±0.789) and BC (1.214 ±0.224 ), PC (2.226 ±2.114) thickness at 9mm bone level in maxilla was significantly highest at 31-40 years. Conclusion: There is an influence of age and gender on inter-radicular and cortical bone thickness of the anterior maxilla and mandible for the placement of orthodontic mini-implants.