Sufficiency of Residual Alveolar Bone in terms of Regions, Age, and Gender in Patients who Underwent CBCT Evaluation

Alveolar bone resorption may complicate dental implantation of the edentulous area. The quantity of residual bone depends on the region, and it is uncertain which region may present more difficulties before implantation. In this study, the alveolar bones of patients who had cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) before dental implantation were examined, and residual bone was evaluated based on age, gender, and the location of the missing tooth.  

In this observational study, the patients with CBCT were divided into two age groups: 18 to 35 and 36 and older. Also,  the edentulous regions were divided into incisor, premolar, and molar regions. Radiographic measurements were performed with a cross-sectional aspect in the single-tooth deficiency regions of the patients; bone height and width measurements were made.  

This study included 164 CBCT scans from individuals (99 females and 65 males). There was no statistically significant difference between the bone heights and between bone widths at the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th mm according to age or gender  (P>0.05). Bone height in the incisor tooth region (ITR) and bone width at the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th mm in the molar tooth region  (MTR) were significantly larger (P<0.01).  

This study revealed that the bone width at the 1st mm of the ITR was insufficient for dental implant placement and that horizontal bone augmentation was needed.