Evaluation of the utility of CBCT in determining the dimensions of labial cortex in maxillary incisors using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) – A pilot study

Objectives: Objective: The aim is to evaluate the thickness of buccal cortical bone in maxillary central incisor area using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) at different root levels.
Methods: Material & Method: Twenty CBCT scans were included in the study by non-probability consecutive sampling technique from the patients of FMH College of Medicine and Dentistry, Department of Periodontology & Dental Implants. The following measurements were recorded:
Distance between cemento-enamel junction & alveolar crest.
Buccal bone thickness using CBCT at two different levels, 2mm and 4mm, from the alveolar crest.
Results: Results:
The thickness of buccal plate on maxillary central incisors was easily measurable using the current CBCT machine. The thickness of buccal plate showed great variations in dimensions ranging from 0.2mm to 2.2mm at 2mm, 4mm.
Conclusions: Conclusion: CBCT seems to be a useful tool to assess the dimensions of buccal cortical plate in maxillary central incisor area. This could provide useful pre-operative information that could be invaluable in providing predictable esthetics with dental implant placement in fresh extraction sockets in maxillary central incisor area.