Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 24, 2026
Real-Time Dynamic Navigation System for the Precise Quad-Zygomatic Implant Placement in a Patient with a Severely Atrophic Maxilla
Published on: October 18, 2021
Buccal Bone Thickness in the Esthetic Zone of Postmenopausal Women: A CBCT Analysis
Christine You Zhang1, Christine DeBaz, Gazabpreet Bhandal
1*Dental Student, School of Dental Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH. †Resident, Department of Periodontology, School of Dental Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH. ‡Fellow, Center for Specialized Women's Health, Women's Health Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH. §Professor and Director, Center for Specialized Women's Health, Women's Health Institute, Lerner College of Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH. ¶Professor, Department of Orthodontics, School of Dental Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH. ‖Associate Professor, Department of Periodontology, School of Dental Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH.
Purpose:
To compare bone thickness buccal to the teeth in the esthetic zone of postmenopausal women, premenopausal women, younger men and older men.
Methods:
Retrospective data were randomly selected from 4 groups: 59 premenopausal women, 60 postmenopausal women, 60 men less than age 50, and 60 men more than 50. Half-root and bone crest landmarks were identified on each participant's cone beam computed tomography for teeth 7 to 10 and 23 to 26. Buccal bone thickness was measured by calibrated examiners. Group averages were calculated and compared between groups using analysis of variance (P < 0.05).
Results:
When comparing premenopausal to postmenopausal women and postmenopausal women to older men, anterior bone thickness was significantly different for tooth maxillary and mandibular lateral incisors and overall maxillary and mandibular central incisors. In addition, significant differences were observed between these groups within the maxilla comparing lateral incisors, central incisors (P < 0.05), and within the mandible when comparing lateral and central incisors at (P < 0.05) at bone crest and half-root, respectively.
Conclusion:
Buccal bone in the anterior esthetic zone bone is thin in all segments of the population, but significantly thinner in postmenopausal women. In this cohort, when anterior implants are planned, it is essential to make informed treatment planning decisions. Strategies are available to manage the thinner bony housing, but require further research specific to this growing consumer cohort.
