Evaluation of cancellous bone density in the alveolar bone by cone-beam computed tomography in Taiwanese adults

Background: The preoperative evaluation of bone quality and stability at the site of a dental implant is important for the long-term prognosis of the implant.

Objective: We evaluated the density and its distribution of cancellous bone in the alveolar bone between a Taiwanese cohort and a U.S. cohort.

Methods: A retrospective analysis using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images was conducted on 1211 Taiwanese and 154 U.S. adults who were evaluated for dental implants. Reconstructed representations of the anterior, premolar, and molar maxillary regions, and of the anterior, premolar, and molar mandibular regions were evaluated in consideration of age, gender and ethnicity.

Results: The mean cancellous bone density was significantly higher at mandibular as compared to maxillary sites (all p ≤ 0.001). In Taiwanese more than 55 years old, men had higher cancellous bone densities than that in women at all sites (except mandible anterior site) (all p < 0.001). Taiwanese women more than 55 years old had significantly lower bone densities than women less than 55 years old at maxilla anterior and premolar sites and mandible premolar and molar sites (all p < 0.05). This did not occur in Taiwanese men or the U.S. cohort. Taiwanese had higher cancellous bone densities at mandibular sites than the U.S. cohort. Mandibular sites had significantly higher densities than maxillary sites. Taiwanese had higher cancellous bone densities at mandible sites than the U.S. cohort. Male Taiwanese had higher cancellous bone densities than females. For female, but not male, Taiwanese, the cancellous bone density decreased when the age increased.

Conclusion: CBCT can be used to evaluate alveolar cancellous bone density to predict primary stability prior to implantation.