Evaluating alveolar bone thickness in upper and lower incisors from orthodontic perspective. A Cone beam computed tomography-based retrospective study

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the thickness of alveolar bone of maxillary and mandibular incisors from orthodontics perspective.

Materials and Method: A total of 73 Cone beam computed tomography for Iraqi patients (47 females and 26 males) were included in this study. The selected images were captured and imported to AutoCAD database software to perform the measurement. To measure alveolar bone thickness, a reference line was drawn through the long axis of each incisor, from the incisal edge to the root apex. Then, labial and lingual/palatal perpendicular lines were drawn to the reference line at 3, 6, and 9mm apically from the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ).

Results: The buccal bone is generally thinner than the lingual/palatal bone. The bone gets relatively thicker closer to the apex. The buccal bone for all lower incisors was less than 1 mm at 3- and 6-mm distance. It was slightly thicker at the central incisor as compared to the lateral at 9-mm distance. Genders have a difference in the thickness of the palatal alveolar bone in their right and left lateral incisors, which are 3mm and 9mm, respectively. Alveolar bone thickness is significantly positively correlated with several teeth.

Conclusions: Males and females in this study showed comparable alveolar bone thickness. The alveolar bone thickness increased with increasing age. It is essential to assess the thickness of alveolar bone pre-orthodontic treatment (especially for patients with thin biotype, and those cases that involve labial proclination of the lower incisors).