Evaluation of mandibular buccal shelf characteristics in the Colombian population: A cone-beam computed tomography study

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the mandibular buccal shelf (MBS) in terms of the angulation and bone depth and thickness according to sex, age, and sagittal and vertical skeletal patterns in a Colombian population using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Accordingly, the optimal site for miniscrew insertion in this area was determined. Methods This descriptive, retrospective study included 64 hemi-arches of 34 patients. On CBCT images, the angulation, buccal bone depth (4 and 6 mm from the cementoenamel junction [CEJ] of MBS), and buccal bone thickness (6 and 11 mm from the CEJ of MBS) were measured at the mesial and distal roots of the mandibular first and second molars. Results There were no statistically significant differences in the angulation, depth, and thickness of MBS between male and female patients. The values for the bone around the distal root of the mandibular second molar were significantly greater than the other values. The osseous characteristics were significantly better in participants aged 16–24 years. Class III patients exhibited the best osseous characteristics, with the bone depth at 6 mm being significantly different from that in Class I and Class II patients. Although values tended to be greater in patients with low angles, the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions MBS provides an optimal bone surface for miniscrew insertion, with better osseous characteristics at the distal root of the mandibular second molar, 4 mm from CEJ. Adolescent patients, Class III patients, and patients with a low angle exhibit the most favorable osseous characteristics in the MBS area.

Tomographic Evaluation of Mandibular Buccal Shelf in Patients with Different Vertical Growth Pattern

“…In the present study, it was found that there were no statistically significant differences in the bone characteristics of the MBP according to the vertical growth pattern. These findings partially agree with those previously reported by Escobar-Correa et al (14) who indicated that the hypodivergent pattern had a tendency to higher values but this difference was not significant.…”

“…In this study, the characteristics of the MBS were also evaluated according to sex and the side of the hermiarch, finding that there were no significant differences in both cases, which coincides with what was previously reported by other authors (14,15). Also, Farnsworth et al (24) observed that there was no difference in the cortical thickness of the mandibular alveolar bone between men and women.…”

“…The design was observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, and retrospective; the study population was the CBCT of the patient file of the CDD-UPCH Orthodontic Service who attended the CDD-UPCH Radiology Service during the period 2015 to 2019. The sample size was calculated using the formula for estimating a mean with a population size of 267 confidence level of 95%, precision of 6 and variance of 96 considering the standard deviation obtained by Escobar-Correa et al (14) determining a size of 10 for each vertical pattern group: hypodivergent, normodivergent and hyperdivergent, making a total of 30 orthodontic patients evaluated.…”

“…The measurements made by Escobar-Correa et al (14) in each area and in both hemiarches as described below:…”

“…Several studies on CBCT have found that the different sagittal and vertical growth patterns can influence the anatomy of certain structures, including the mandibular symphysis, the mandibular bone plate, and the cortical and alveolar bone (13)(14)(15). Growth variations in anatomical structures can determine a thicker or thinner cortical bone type (16), which would influence the insertion of extraalveolar miniscrews and their stability during orthodontic treatment (4).…”