Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) Evaluation of Alveolar Bone Thickness and Root Angulation in Anterior Maxilla for Planning Immediate Implant Placement

Objective: This retrospective study aimed to measure the labial, palatal, mesial, and distal bone thickness around maxillary central and lateral incisors and canines and height from crest to apex, using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images and compare the results based on gender. The second objective of the study was to measure root angulation on CBCT images and its relation with the labial cortical thicknesses. Material and Methods: After the Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, a total of 140 CBCT volumes were included in this study according to the set criteria. On each scan, right-side maxillary central, lateral incisors, and canine were selected for the measurements. All the measurements were done at three levels at the alveolar crest (L1), mid-root (L2), and apical region (L3) for each tooth. Results: The Student’s t-test was performed to compare the result of buccal, palatal, mesial, and distal bone thickness, angulation, and height of all subjects. Buccal alveolar bone thickness was minimum at the mid-root region, and the palatal bone thickness was minimum at the crestal region. The mesial bone thickness was minimum at the mid-root level, and distal bone thickness was minimum at the crest level. The available bone height was maximum at the lateral incisor and equal for the central incisor and canine. The canine was the most angulated tooth. Conclusion: Cone beam computed tomography is a reliable imaging modality to evaluate pre-surgical immediate implant sites and measure alveolar bone thickness. The canine was the most angulated tooth with more buccal alveolar bone thickness.