Radiographic evaluation of anatomical variables in maxilla and mandible in relation to dental implant placement

Oral rehabilitation using implants is rapidly replacing tooth supported prostheses. The success of implants is largely dependent on the quality and quantity of alveolar bone. In this study, we assessed the location of limiting anatomical structures and the amount of alveolar bone available for implant placement.

Six hundred digital panoramic radiographs (300 males and 300 females) of dentate patients aged between 15-60 years were selected from the archives. The radiographs were subdivided into 3 groups with age interval of 15 years. Then the location of mental foramen, anterior loop, mandibular canal and maxillary sinus was determined. The amount of bone available was measured in both maxilla and mandible in the premolar and molar regions.

The mental foramen was most commonly located at the apex of the second premolar in both the genders. The anterior loop was more readily visible in the younger age group. The amount of bone available in the premolar and molar region of the mandible is nearly the same, while more bone is available in the premolar region of the maxilla.

The location and morphology of anatomical structures of the jaws vary not only in different populations but also within the same population. The amount of bone available also showed variations in the same population and in the same individual on the right and left sides. The limiting anatomical structures govern the amount of bone available for possible implant placement.