Morphometric Analysis of Implant-Related Anatomy in Caucasian Skulls

Morphometric Analysis of Implant-Related Anatomy in Caucasian Skulls
R.F. NEIVA, R. GAPSKI, and H.-L. WANG, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
March 2004
Clinical Implant Studies
Objectives: This study aimed to describe morphological aspects and variations of the anatomy directly related to implant treatment. Methods: Morphometric analyzes were performed in 22 Caucasian skulls. Measurements of the mental foramen (MF) included height (MF-H), width (MF-W), and location in relation to other anatomical landmarks. Presence or absence of anterior loops (AL) of the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) was determined, and the mesial extent of the loop was measured. Additional measurements included height (G-H), width (G-W), thickness (G-T) and volume (G-V) of symphyseal grafts, and thickness of the lateral wall (T-LW) of the maxillary sinus. The independent samples t-test, and a 2-tailed t-test with equal variance were utilized to determine statistical significance to a level of p<0.05. Multiple-regression analyzes were performed to determine if each one of these measurements was affected by age and gender. Results: MF was most commonly found below mandibular premolars. The mean MF-H and MF-W were 3.47 ¨± 0.71 mm and 3.59 ¨± 0.8 mm. The mean distance from the MF to other anatomical landmarks were: MF-CEJ = 15.52 ¨± 2.37 mm, MF to the lower cortex of the mandible = 12.0 ¨± 1.67 mm, MF to the midline = 27.61 ¨± 2.29 mm, and MF-MF = 55.23 ¨± 5.34 mm. A high prevalence of AL was found (84%); symmetry was a common finding (76.2%), with a mean length of 4.13 (¨± 2.04) mm. The mean size of symphyseal grafts was: G-H = 9.45 ¨± 1.08 mm, G-W = 14.5¨±3.0 mm, and G-T = 6.15 ¨± 1.04 mm (range: 352 ÇƒÏ 1200 mm3), with an average G-V of 857.55 ¨± 283.97 mm3. The mean T- LW of the maxillary sinus was 0.91 mm (¨±0.43). Conclusion: Implant-related anatomy must be evaluated before treatment due to considerable variations among individuals, in order to prevent body damage.