Topographic, microscopic, radiographic, and computerized morphometric studies of the human adult edentate mandible for oral implantologists

Abstract

AbstractMany edentate human mandibles obtained at random from cadaveric subjects of different ages were cleansed of their soft tissue coverings (macerated) and then divided into groups based upon alveolar process resorption differences. Each mandible was transected at five locations corresponding to prior sites of the molar and premolar teeth. The medial surface area of each section and its cortical and medullary components were accurately measured by computerized digital morphometry. Skeletomorphologic details were examined by gross, microscopic, and radiographic methods. Images made visible by the three methods were compared. Comparison clearly indicated that images of cortical thickness peripherally, trabecular bone density centrally, and the differences in density of canal borders and their locations in many edentate mandibles are very often inadequately portrayed by conventional oral radiographic methods. These inadequacies present a strong caveat to the unwary oral implantologist.