Cone-beam computed tomography-based quantitative analysis of the thickness of mandibular alveolar bone in adult females with different vertical facial patterns

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to investigate the relationship between the thicknesses of the mandibular alveolar bone in the incisor, canine, premolar, and molar areas in adult female patients with different vertical skeletal patterns using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: CBCT images of 50 adult female patients before orthodontic treatment were analyzed. Based on the mandibular plane angle, they were divided into three groups: Low, average, and high-angle. The thicknesses of the alveolar and cancellous bones of the mandible were measured at the apices of the incisor, canine, first premolar, and first molar on both sides. Results: The thicknesses of the alveolar and cancellous bones were significantly larger in the low-angle group than in the high-angle group in all areas. At the incisal and canine areas, the thicknesses of the alveolar and cancellous bones were significantly larger in the average angle group than in the high-angle group. In the canine and first premolar areas, the thickness of the alveolar bone was larger in the low-angle group than in the average angle group. Conclusions: Vertical facial pattern is a significant factor in the width of the mandibular alveolar bone, especially in the incisor and canine areas. For planning labioboccal movement in mandibular canines and incisors, information about the mandibular morphology is thought to be important, particularly in high-angle cases.