Comparison of anterior maxillary and mandibular alveolar parameters in African American and Caucasian women: A retrospective pilot study

PURPOSE: The primary objective of this study was to analyze the thickness and height of alveolar bone around the maxillary and mandibular incisors. Additionally, this study aimed to compare bone parameters between Caucasian (CC) and African American (AA) female patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective pilot study, 50 female subjects (25 CC and 25 AA) were included. The inclusion criteria were AA or CC women between the ages of 18 and 50 with a normo-divergent facial pattern and Angle's class I, end-on class II, or mild class III malocclusion. The distance from the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) to the buccal and lingual alveolar crest; the alveolar ridge thickness at the mid-root and apex; and the buccal and lingual bone thickness at 3, 6, and 9 mm from the CEJ were measured. RESULTS: No significant difference was found (P>0.05) in the cortical bone thickness at 3 mm, 6 mm, or 9 mm from the alveolar crest between CC and AA populations for most measurements. A significant difference in bone thickness was found (P<0.05) for the lingual surface of the central incisor, with maxillary bone thickness found to be higher than mandibular bone thickness. The measurements of lingual thickness were larger than those of buccal thickness for both races. CONCLUSION: There were no differences in maxillomandibular anterior alveolar bone measurements between normo-divergent adult AA and CC women, except for a few parameters at varying locations. However, future studies can be planned based the current pilot study data, which may provide valuable information.