Morphological analysis of mandibular posterior edentulous bones using cross-sectional CT images / 대한구강악안면방사선학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the morphologic features of posterior edentulous mandible for Korean patients using cross-sectional CT images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Computed tomographic cross-sectional views taken in 2004 and 2005 at Seoul National University Dental Hospital were analyzed by an oral and maxillofacial radiologist. Four indices were measured to meet the purpose of this study 1) the horizontal distance between the alveolar crest and mandibular canal (Type), 2) the angle of the mandibular long axis (Angle), 3) the bucco-lingual location of mandibular canal, and 4) the depth of the submandibular fossa. The averages and standard deviations of the measurements were compared according to the location (the first and second molar area) and sex of the patients. RESULTS: Statistically significant difference was found in Type, Angle, and submandibular fossa depth between the first and second molar area (p.0.05). However, there was no significant difference between men and women in any of the measured indices. Most of the mandibular canals were located in lingual side of posterior mandible. CONCLUSION: More care should be taken when an implant is installed on the mandibular second molar area.