The effect of tooth loss on the cancellous bone pattern of the mandible and on the superior bony wall of the mandibular canal: a micro-CT study

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of tooth loss on the cancellous bone pattern of the mandible and on the superior bony wall of the mandibular canal. Methods: Twenty-four dry mandibles without any physical deformation were scanned with high-resolution micro-CT device. The second premolar, first, second, and third molar regions on the mandibular canal, the presence of the bony superior wall of the mandibular canal and the cancellous bone pattern of the mandible were examined on micro-CT images. The images were classified into three groups, Type I (trabecular pattern), Type II (osteoporotic pattern), and Type III (dense/irregular pattern). The presence of the bony superior wall of the mandibular canal was noted as absent or present. Results: While 133 (91%) of the dentulous sections were showing Type I trabecular cancellous bone pattern; 25 (54%) of the edentulous sections were of Type I. The superior wall was visible in 90 (62%) of the dentulous regions and in 41 (89%) of the edentulous areas. The cancellous bone pattern of the mandible of the majority of dentulous and edentulous areas had a regular trabecular structure. Dense and irregular trabecular structure were encountered only in edentulous areas. Conclusion: We suggest that there is a very strong relationship between the superior bony wall of the mandibular canal and the cancellous bone pattern of the mandible. We conclude that the trabecular structure of the mandible could change following tooth loss and this have an effect on the change of the structure and the presence of the superior wall of the mandibular canal.