CBCT Analysis of Edentulous Mandibular Symphysis in Iraqi Patients for Treatment with Implant-Supported Overdentures. Cross-Sectional Single-Center Study

BACKGROUND: Overdentures supported by dental implants are a useful treatment strategy for patients with edentulous mandibles. The aim of this study was to evaluate certain characteristics of the mandibular symphyseal edentulous cases for dental implant treatment using CBCT; and if it is associated with gender differences. METHODS: Ninety patients (45 females and 45 males) were included in this investigation. A section along the midline of each CBCT image was chosen for the edentulous symphyseal area. Symphysis height, width, and cortical thickness was measured for each patient. Bone density were calculated at four points A two-sample Student’s t-test and Pearson correlation were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Males had a considerably greater symphysis height (26.66±6.21 mm) than females (24.07±5.00 mm) (p = 0.02). Similar results were found for bone width; males had greater means than females. In case of cortical bone thickness; males had thicker bone cortex in the buccal region than females (p = 0.01). While the difference in bone density between genders was small. However, a positive relationship was recorded between symphysis height and width. CONCLUSION: Height and width of the mandibular symphysis were influenced by gender in edentulous patients, with men showing higher measurements. The reduction of symphyseal height decreased concurrently with the width after teeth were lost, while bone density was maintained in both genders with no difference between them. The lingual cortical bone is significantly thicker than the buccal cortex at the lower part of the symphysis.