Labial alveolar bone thickness and its correlation with buccolingual maxillary incisors angulation: a CBCT based study

OBJECTIVE: Understanding the labial alveolar bone thickness (ABT) and buccolingual teeth angulation may reduce the complication that might arise during or post-operative treatment. The operator could determine the precise method to ensure long-term treatment success. This study aimed to evaluate the ABT with buccolingual upper incisor teeth angulation based on the maxillary plane by using the conebeam computed tomography (CBCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 371 CBCT radiographs were initially assessed and 100 CBCT radiographs were included. On the maxillary incisors, the labial alveolar bone thickness is evaluated at three points (Point A: Four mm below from CEJ, Point B: Midpoint from the labial alveolar- palatal alveolar crest plane and root apex. Point C: Root Apex of the tooth). The distance from these points to labial alveolar bone was measured for the ABT. Moreover, buccolingual angulation of the tooth was measured by the angle formed by the maxillary plane and the long axis of the tooth. RESULTS: There is no significant difference observed between genders in the labial alveolar bone thickness. The labial alveolar bone thickness grew gradually from the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) level to the apical level. Moreover, there was a statistically significant positive correlation observed between labial alveolar bone thickness at the apical level (Point C) and angulation (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The labial bone thickness was less than 2 mm in the majority of cases at the three points among maxillary incisors. In addition, there is a correlation between buccolingual angulation of the maxillary incisors and labial alveolar bone thickness.