Comparison of mandibular anterior alveolar bone thickness in different facial skeletal types

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine differences of mandibular anterior alveolar bone thickness and symphysial cross sectional area in 9 different horizontal and vertical facial types. Methods: By using the initial cephalometric radiographs of 270 adult patients (male 135, female 135), the authors measured the buccolingual thickness of anterior alveolar bone on the basis of the root axis and symphysial cross sectional distance. Results: The high angle group showed significantly thinner buccolingual alveolar bone width except for the CEJ area and lingual alveolar bone width (p < 0.05). The low angle group and Class I, II average group showed similar or significantly thicker alveolar bone width than the Class I average group (p < 0.05). The Class III average group showed significantly thinner buccolingual and lingual alveolar bone width than Class I and II average groups (p< 0.05). The Class III high angle group showed minimal alveolar bone width in all facial skeletal types. No significant difference was found in the symphysial cross sectional area of the different vertical facial skeletal types (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The results of this study found that Class III high angle patients have thinner mandibular anterior alveolar bone thickness; therefore, more attention will be needed to determine the incisor position during orthodontic treatment for this group of patients.