High-resolution micro-computed tomography assessment of human maxillary cortical microarchitectural patterns during...

Regional variations in the cortical bone microarchitecture of an adult human maxilla were previously linked to local differences in occlusal stress. However, maxillary microarchitectural patterns during permanent teeth eruption have not been investigated. Thus, our pilot study aimed to analyze patterns of buccal and palatal maxillary cortical microarchitectural changes in subadults using high-resolution 3D methodology (micro-CT). Dry subadult maxillary bone samples harvested from the region of the first permanent molar were divided into four groups: immature maxillary bones with a partially erupted first permanent molar without occlusal contact (group I, n = 5), maxillary bones with a fully erupted first permanent molar with occlusal contact with the opposing mandibular permanent molar and a partially erupted second permanent molar (group II, n = 5), maxillary bones having fully erupted first and second permanent molars with occlusal contacts (group III, n = 5), and maxillary bones with completed third permanent molar eruption and developed occlusal contacts (group IV, n = 5). Our data revealed a specific pattern of declining trend in total and open cortical porosity, coupled with an increasing trend in cortical thickness and pore separation in the maxillary bone during permanent teeth eruption. The intensity and complexity of functional loads (occlusal forces and direct contact with the tongue) may induce specific patterns of cortical maxillary bone microarchitectural changes in subadults. Considering its potential clinical relevance for orthodontic treatment and occlusal development, future studies (including more detailed micro-scale bone quality assessments) are necessary to fully understand maxillary bone alterations during permanent teeth eruption.