The Association between Lower Incisal Inclination and Morphology of the Supporting Alveolar Bone — A Cone-Beam CT Study

AIM: To investigate the relationship between the positioning of the lower central incisor and physical morphology of the surrounding alveolar bone. METHODOLOGY: Thirty-eight patients (18 males, 20 females), with mean age of 13.4 years, were included in this study. As part of orthodontic treatment planning the patients were required to take dental Cone-beam CT (CBCT) covering the region of lower incisors, the surrounding alveolar bone and the mandibular symphysis. The cephalometric parameters were designed and measured to indicate the inclination of lower central incisor and physical morphology of the adjacent alveolar bone. Computer-aided descriptive statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 15.0 software package for Windows. A correlation analysis and a linear regression analysis between the incisor inclination and the alveolar bone morphology were performed. RESULTS: Significant positive correlations were found between the lower central incisor inclination and the morphological contour of the alveolar bone (P <0.05). The lower central incisor root apex was closer to the lingual alveolar crest when it was buccally inclined. CONCLUSION: The morphology of the alveolar bone may be affected by incisal inclination.