Quantitative Evaluation of Bone-Related Factors at the Implant Site by Cone-Beam Computed Tomography.

Abstract

Dental implant is a commonly used treatment modality for replacement of the missing teeth. The aim of the present study was to evaluate a number of bone-related factors at the implant site preoperatively by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). A total of 400 implant sites were evaluated on CBCT images. The height, width, angle of residual ridge, thickness of cortical bone crest, and the ridge concavity were evaluated on cross sectional images at four regions: the anterior maxilla, anterior mandible, posterior maxilla, and posterior mandible. The highest thickness of cortical bone was observed in posterior mandible followed by anterior mandible, anterior maxilla, and posterior maxilla. In the mandible, the mean buccal concavity was higher in the anterior than in the posterior region (P = 0.0094). The measurements indicated that in both the maxilla (P = 0.0256) and mandible (P < 0.0001), the residual ridge width was lower in the anterior than in the posterior region; while the height of the residual ridge was higher in the anterior than in the posterior region in the mandible (P < 0.0001). In the maxilla, the remaining ridge angle in the anterior region was greater than that in the posterior region (P < 0.0001). Anatomical variations detected on CBCT results in personalized treatment planning considering best site and the best fixture in terms of size and position prior to implant fixture insertion.