Influence of atrophic posterior maxilla ridge height on bone density and microarchitecture

There is limited evidence available on the influence of residual ridge height (RH) on bone density. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the correlation between the atrophic posterior RH in the maxilla and its bone density as determined by microcomputed tomography (μ-CT).

Thirty-two subjects with atrophic posterior maxilla of residual RH <8 mm were included in this study. A preoperative cone beam CT scan with a radiographic stent was taken for each patient. A bone core biopsy was thus obtained from the predetermined surgical site. Out of 32 biopsies, 27 were intact and sent for μ-CT analysis.

A statistically significant positive correlation between bone volumetric fraction (BV/TV) and RH was identified (r = 0.417, p = .03). A statistically significant negative correlation between trabecular pattern factor and RH was also found (r = -0.415, p = .03). The rest of the morphometric parameters analyzed did not have any significant correlation to RH.

BV/TV is potentially influenced by the residual bone height at the posterior maxilla. The lesser the RH, the lower the bone quantity and quality present.