Dentulous versus edentulous mandibles: CBCT-based morphometric assessment of mandibular canal and alveolar bone
Tariq Saeed, Ameenah Saad Alansy, Zainab Abdulkader Abdu, Osama Al-Maqtari, Yu Zhao
Abstract
Background: Precise preoperative knowledge of the mandibular canal (MC) variations and alveolar bone dimensions are vital elements for a successful dental implant. Thus, this study aimed to describe the three-dimensional morphology of the MC and alveolar bone dimensions, followed by a comparison of the variables in edentulous mandibular posterior sides with contralateral dentulous sides among adult Chinese individuals. Such variations were also studied in relation to gender and age. Material and Methods: Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) was used for the morphometric analysis of the MC and alveolar bone dimensions in this cross-sectional study that analyzed retrospectively gathered data. Records of 112 individuals (56 males and 56 females) who had one edentulous mandibular posterior side and one dentulous side were included in the analysis. The MC position, length (MCL), and diameter (MCD) along with superior bone height (SBH) and bone width (BW) of the alveolar bone ridge were assessed. Results: < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the MC position or MCL and the incidence of bifid MC for dentulous and edentulous sides. Gender was a significant parameter for MCL, SBH, and BW, while no significant differences were observed in all variables on both sides in relation to age. Conclusions: Mandibular canal, Bifid mandibular canal, edentulous mandible, alveolar bone dimension.