Evaluation of the thickness of the Anterior Maxillary Facial Bone Wall  A Retrospective Radiographic Study Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography.

Dr. Ojasvi Nijhawan; Dr. Shreenivas Vasant Bhide

Volume : VI, Issue : I, January - 2017

Evaluation of the thickness of the Anterior Maxillary Facial Bone Wall A Retrospective Radiographic Study Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography.

Dr. Ojasvi Nijhawan, Dr. Shreenivas Vasant Bhide

Abstract :

Implant placement following extraction is commonly done in daily practice. In the anterior maxilla, it presents a considerable challenge to clinicians because of the high esthetic expectations of patients and, at the same time, various local risk factors that can potentially compromise the predictability of treatment outcomes. The thickness of the facial bone wall in the anterior maxilla is of crucial importance for the selection of the appropriate treatment approach. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is a three dimensional imaging technique used in the dental fields of implantology which yields sub–millimeter accuracy for linear measurements. The purpose of this retrospective radiographic study was to analyze the thickness of the facial bone walls of teeth in the anterior maxilla based on CBCT images from 50 patients (including male and female patients) between the ages of 20 to 50 years referred for implant therapy. After analysis, at MP1 (4mm from CEJ), 19.2% had missing facial bone wall, 76.3% had <1mm, 4.3% had ≥1mm. At MP2 (middle of root), 8.3% had missing facial wall, 87.6% had <1mm, 3.85% had ≥1mm.Thick bone wall (≥1 mm) was found in only 4.3% of all examined teeth at MP1 and 3.85% at MP2. Both a missing and thin facial wall requires simultaneous contour augmentation at implant placement because of the bone resorption that occurs at a thin facial bone wall following tooth extraction. Consequently, radiographic analysis of the facial bone wall using CBCT prior to extraction is recommended for selection of the appropriate treatment approach.