Evaluation of Alveolar bone thickness in the maxillary anterior esthetic zone of six anterior teeth – A retrospective CBCT study

Background The maxillary anterior region represents a critical esthetic zone in which labial alveolar bone thickness (LABT) plays a decisive role. Therefore, accurate assessment of LABT is an essential diagnostic consideration in treatment planning. Given the documented ethnic and regional variations in alveolar bone morphology, evaluation of LABT across different geographical populations is warranted. Accordingly, the present study aimed to assess the LABT in the maxillary anterior region among individuals from the central province of Saudi Arabia Methods The aim of the present study was to assess the LABT of the six maxillary anterior teeth, with the objective of comparing the thickness at predetermined measurement points. Additionally, variations in LABT were evaluated with respect to side (right versus left), gender, and age. A total of 206 cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) sagittal images were analyzed. Measurements were obtained at three standardized levels: Point A, extending from the facial plate at the level of the alveolar bone crest to the coronal third of the root; Point B, at the mid-root level; and Point C, at the apical third of the root. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software (version 26.0; IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). A p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The mean LBAT was less than 2 mm. The thickness was least at Point B (0.83 mm to 0.95 mm) and the greatest at Point C (1.22 to 1.55 mm). At Point A, the bony thickness was intermediate (0.92 to 1.33 mm), which was statistically significant ( p -value < 0.05). The comparison of the LBAT on the right and left sides and among age groups was not statistically significant. However, comparison among the gender showed statistical significance at Point A, for left canine, right and left canine both at Point B, and for Point C, in the left canine, ( p -value < 0.05). Conclusions LABT was less than the required bone thickness of 2 mm. The clinicians to be given due attention to this, while planning implant treatment, especially in female patients, where thickness of the bone is less than the male.