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Cortical Bone Assessment Using Ultrasonic Guided Waves: A Reproducibility Study in a Healthy Population
Published on: January 31, 2025
Cortical bone thickness in dentate and edentulous human cadavers
Amar Katranji1, Kelly Misch, Hom-Lay Wang
1Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1078, USA.
Journal of Periodontology
|May 2, 2007
Summary
Cortical bone thickness varies across the jaw, impacting dental implant stability. This study measured bone thickness in different jaw regions to inform treatment planning.
Area of Science:
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Dental Implantology
- Anatomical Studies
Background:
- Primary implant stability in dental implant therapy relies heavily on available bone quantity, particularly thick cortical plates.
- Limited data exists regarding the precise cortical bone thickness across various maxillary and mandibular regions.
- Understanding regional bone variations is crucial for successful dental implant treatment planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify average cortical bone thickness in different anatomical locations of the maxilla and mandible.
- To provide essential data for enhancing the predictability of dental implant placement and stability.
- To address the existing knowledge gap concerning regional variations in jawbone thickness.
Main Methods:
- A cadaver study involving 28 heads (68% male, 32% female, average age 73.1 years) was conducted.
- Measurements of buccal and lingual cortical plate thickness were taken in molar, premolar, and anterior regions.
- Both edentulous and dentate jaw areas were assessed to capture a comprehensive dataset.
Main Results:
- Average buccal cortical thickness ranged from 1.04 mm (anterior, edentulous maxilla) to 2.23 mm (molar, dentate maxilla).
- Average lingual cortical thickness ranged from 1.36 mm (anterior, edentulous maxilla) to 2.51 mm (molar, edentulous mandible).
- Significant variations in thickness were observed between anterior and posterior regions, as well as between edentulous and dentate sites.
Conclusions:
- Cortical bone thickness in the maxilla and mandible exhibits significant regional variability, crucial for dental implant planning.
- The thinnest buccal bone was found in the anterior maxilla (edentulous) and anterior mandible (dentate), while the thickest was in the posterior mandible and maxilla.
- These anatomical findings provide valuable insights for optimizing implant positioning and achieving primary stability in diverse clinical scenarios.
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