[Morphological classification of mandible posterior region based on cone beam CT images]

Objective: To classify the morphology of mandible posterior region and provide reference for the planning of dental implantation. Methods: Cone beam CT data of 208 patients were collected. The CT data were imported into CS 3D imaging V3 software and then the morphology of mandible posterior region were analyzed. The types of premolar and molar mandible cross-section morphology were recorded, classified and analyzed. Results: The results showed that type A (vertical type) (79%-96%) was the most common in the premolars, whereas type B (inclined type) (36%-37%) and type C (lingual inverted concave) (30%-54%) were the most common types in the molars, followed type D (absorption severe type) (2%-5%). There was a statistically significant differences in tooth positions (P<0.001), tooth deficiency aspect (P<0.001) and different side (P=0.013), different age (P<0.001), and different gender (P=0.007). Conclusions: Using cone beam CT to determine the morphology of mandible may be a reference for the planning of dental implantation.