Quantitative Comparison of Cephalogram and Cone-Beam Computed Tomography in the Evaluation of Alveolar Bone Thickness of Maxillary Incisors

Correlation of alveolar bone thickness and central incisor inclination in skeletal Class I and II malocclusions with different vertical skeletal patterns: A CBCT study

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to assess the alveolar bone thickness (ABT) and labiolingual inclination of maxillary and mandibular central incisors in patients with Class I and II skeletal patterns with normal-angle, high-angle, and low-angle vertical patterns.

METHODS

The study sample consisted of 200 cone-beam computed tomography scans of patients with skeletal Class I and II malocclusions. Each group was further divided into low-angle, normal-angle, and high-angle subgroups. Labiolingual inclinations of maxillary and mandibular central incisors and ABT were measured at 4 levels from the cementoenamel junction in the labial and lingual surfaces. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, independent t test, 2-way analysis of variance, and Spearman's correlation test were applied for statistical analyses.

RESULTS

The only significant difference between Class I and II groups regarding the ABT was found at the labial side of the maxillary central incisor, 9 mm apical to the crest. At this level, the mean ABT was 0.87 mm in patients with a skeletal Class I malocclusion, which was significantly greater than that in patients with a skeletal Class II malocclusion with a mean ABT of 0.66 mm (P = 0.02). Comparisons among the vertical subgroups revealed that on the labial and lingual sides of the mandible, as well as the palatal side of the maxilla, significantly thinner alveolar bone was found in patients with high-angle growth patterns than those with normal-angle and low-angle patterns in both sagittal groups (P <0.05). Significant weak to moderate correlations were found between ABT and tooth inclination (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Significant differences in ABT covering central incisors between patients with skeletal Class I and II malocclusion are merely observed at the labial surface of the maxilla, 9 mm apical to the cementoenamel junction. Compared with patients with normal-angle and low-angle, those with a high-angle growth pattern and Class I and II sagittal relationships have thinner alveolar bone support around maxillary and mandibular incisors.

Measuring the Facial Plate of Bone in the Upper Anterior Teeth Utilizing Cone Beam Computed Tomography at King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Background and aim

Radiographic assessment is an important diagnostic tool in dental practice.Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is among the most important imaging examinations. By providing multiplanar visualization of the maxillofacial region, CBCT enables practitioners to assess various conditions three-dimensionally. CBCT is utilized in different fields within dentistry, including oral and maxillofacial surgery, endodontics, orthodontics, periodontics, implant dentistry, and others. Having access to accurate 3D images is crucial in implant dentistry. This study aimed to measure the crestal bone height loss and facial alveolar bone thickness in the maxillary anterior teeth using CBCT to investigate its effect on surgical planning for dental implant placement in adult patients.

Material and methods

CBCT scans (N = 119) of adults, aged 18-65 years, with bilateral permanent maxillary anterior teeth present were included in this retrospective study. The mean alveolar bone plate thickness and crest bone height loss adjacent to the maxillary anterior teeth were measured and differences were examined.

Results

The results suggest that additional care and assessment of dental implant placement should be considered when replacing the permanent lateral incisors and canines. The frequency of fenestrations and dehiscence is higher in older adults. Possible management includes guided bone regeneration or “pink restorative solutions.”

Conclusion

CBCT analysis to assess the bone morphology surrounding “hopeless” maxillary anterior teeth is important to ensure proper diagnosis and management, including the use of dental implants.

Three-Dimensional Analysis of Posterior Mandibular Displacement in Rats

Mandibular protrusion and its treatment is challenging for the orthodontist. The aim of the present research was to identify macroscopic changes in the mandible, based on three-dimensional Cone Beam Computed Tomography analysis. Seventy-two male Wistar rats were divided into two equal groups, experimental (group A) and control (group B). Each consisted of three equal subgroups of 12 rats (A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, B3). Full-cast orthodontic intraoral devices were attached to the maxillary incisors of the experimental animals, and effected functional posterior mandibular displacement. Throughout the experimental period, all animals were fed with mashed food. Animals were sacrificed at 30 days (A1, B1), 60 days (A2, B2) and 90 days (A3, B3). At the 60th day of the experiment, the orthodontic devices were removed from the remaining experimental subgroup A3. Measurements revealed significant differences in the anteroposterior dimensions between experimental and control subgroups. However, the observed changes in the vertical dimensions, Condylion/Go’–Menton and the Intercondylar distance proved insignificant. Posterior mandibular displacement of the mandible in growing rats affects the morphology of the mandible and culminates in the development of a smaller mandible at a grown age.

Assessment of Maxillary Incisors' Angulation and Position in Different Types of Malocclusions Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography

Background:

This study is aimed to assess the maxillary incisors' root position, angulation, and buccal alveolar bone thickness in both genders and different classes of malocclusion using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Materials and Methods:

Two hundred and six CBCT images were gathered and analyzed by three-dimensional On-Demand software to measure the variables of 803 maxillary central and lateral incisors. Genders and class difference was determined by unpaired t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Chi-square tests.

Results:

Buccal root position of the maxillary incisors accounted for in the majority of the cases followed by the middle and palatal positions. The thickness of alveolar bone appears to have nearly the same pattern of decreasing in the mean values above the level of 2 mm from the crest of the bone up to the 6 mm level then increase in the apex of the root. The angle between the long axis of the maxillary incisors and the corresponding alveolar bone is higher significantly in class II followed by class I and III with no significant gender difference.

Conclusions:

most of the maxillary incisors examined were located in a very close position to the buccal cortical plate and covered by a thin buccal bone wall. The apparent association was noted between the incisors' root position and angulation in the alveolar bone with the buccal bone thickness.