ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To assess the width of the labial alveolar bone of the incisive canal and the width of the incisive canal on spiral computed tomographic images of the anterior portion of the maxilla. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study materials included 38 CT scans taken for preoperative planning of implant placement. Axial cross-sectioned image entirely showing the incisive canal was selected and scanned with 600 DPI resolution. The width of the labial alveolar bone of the incisive canal at an orifice to the oral cavity, middle portion, and an orifice to the nasal cavity and the diameter of the incisive canal at the middle portion were determined by two specialist using Digora for Windows 2.1. The statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS 12.0.1. RESULTS: When the maxillary central incisors remained, the mean labial alveolar bone width were 6.81+/-1.41 mm, 6.46+/-1.33 mm, and 7.91+/-1.33 mm. When the maxillary central incisors were missed the mean width were 5.42+/- 2.20 mm, 6.23+/-2.29 mm, and 7.89+/-2.13 mm. CONCLUSIONS: The labial alveolar bone width at middle portion and an orifice to the nasal cavity were of no statistical significant difference according to presence of the maxillary central incisors (P>0.05). The width between oral cavity and nasal cavity, middle portion and to nasal cavity revealed statistically significant difference (P<0.05).