Assessment of mandibular buccal shelf and infrazygomatic crest bone thicknesses and densities in patients with different vertical facial heights-A CBCT study

Abstract

Objective: This research aimed to evaluate bone thickness and density using CBCT in the Mandibular Buccal Shelf (MBS) and the Infrazygomatic Crest (IZC) in individuals with varying vertical facial heights for optimal placement of miniscrews. Materials and Methods: The sample was made up of 90 people who were at least 16 years old. It was divided into three groups on the basis of vertical facial height which was assessed by lateral cephalometric analysis based on the Jaraback ratio, FMA, Y-axis and Mandibular plane angle. Cross-sectional CBCT slices of the MBS and IZC were obtained to evaluate bone thickness (horizontally and vertically) and density at 16 and 3 different sites, at 2 different angles, respectively.The normality of the data was statistically proven using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. ANOVA test was used to analyze the relation between bone thickness of the MBS and the IZC with different vertical facial heights. Results: Bone thickness and density in the MBS and IZC increased posteriorly. Higher bone thickness and density were found near the 2nd molar in the MBS; in the IZC, it was higher between the 1st and 2nd molar. Conclusions: Individuals with horizontal growth patterns had greater bone thickness in the MBS and IZC than Individuals with vertical growth patterns. The ideal location for installing miniscrews in MBS is buccal to the second molar’s distal root, while in IZC it is above the proximal space between the first and second molars.