Evaluation of the contour of edentulous jaw sections in the transversal plane and the buccolingual vertical-level disparity in CBCT and panoramic radiography images: a retrospective comparative study

PURPOSE: This study investigates whether edentulous jaw sections in the planned implant position exhibit jaw contours funnel-shaped or exhibit pronounced retraction of the jaw (unusual jaw contours) in the transversal plane of the three-dimensional (3D) images, not visible in two-dimensional (2D) images. METHODS: A total of 335 patients with an edentulous section of the jaw that required dental implants were selected. Anonymised radiologic patients’ data were collected, comprising cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of the edentulous jaw sections. In the first stage, unusual jaw contours were examined, including funnel-shaped or pronounced retraction of the jaw and hypodense regions with an undercut and/or bone deficit. In the second stage, the variation in the height of the alveolar ridge between the lingual and buccal contour in the edentulous jaw sections was assessed. RESULTS: The CBCT images of an unusual jaw contour were observed in 8 cases (2.4%) in the maxilla on the left and 10 cases (3%) in the maxilla on the right. In the mandible, a jaw contour deviates in 39 cases (12.1%) on the left side and 39 cases (12.1%) on the right side. A height difference was detected in the upper jaw in 307 cases and the lower jaw in 265 cases. The discrepancy was 2.09 mm (± 2.25 mm) in the maxilla and 3.97 mm (± 3.45 mm) in the mandible. CONCLUSIONS: The CBCT scan provides useful information to avoid complications in the preoperative planning phase and surgical planning in implant dentistry. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: [Image: see text]