Associations among the anterior maxillary dental arch form, alveolar bone thickness, and the sagittal root position of the maxillary central incisors in relation to immediate implant placement: A cone-beam computed tomography analysis

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the associations of the dental arch form, age-sex groups, and sagittal root position (SRP) with alveolar bone thickness of the maxillary central incisors using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CBCT images of 280 patients were categorized based on the dental arch form and age-sex groups. From these patients, 560 sagittal CBCT images of the maxillary central incisors were examined to measure the labial and palatal bone thickness at the apex level and the palatal bone at the mid-root level, according to the SRP classification. The chi-square test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and multiple linear regression were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: Significant differences were found in alveolar bone thickness depending on the arch form and SRP at the apex level. The square dental arch form and class I SRP showed the highest bone thickness at both levels of the palatal aspect. The taper dental arch form and class II SRP presented the highest bone thickness at the apex level of the labial aspect. No association was found between the dental arch form and SRP. Elderly women showed a significant association with thinner alveolar bone. Age-sex group, the dental arch form, and SRP had significant associations with alveolar bone thickness at the apex level. CONCLUSION: The patient’s age-sex group, dental arch form, and SRP were associated with alveolar bone thickness around the maxillary central incisors with varying magnitudes. Therefore, clinicians should take these factors into account when planning immediate implant placement.