Measurement of buccal cortical plate thickness in the mandible of dentate adults in an Iranian population using conebeam computed tomography

Objectives: This study aimed to measure the buccal cortical plate thickness in the mandible of dentate adults in an Iranian population using conebeam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: Eighty CBCT images were evaluated in this study using NNT Viewer 6.0 software. Images had highresolution and had been taken by NewTom CBCT scanner with 11 x 8cm field of view. Measurements were made using the digital ruler of the software with 0.1mm accuracy. All analyses were performed by two observers: an oral and maxillofacial radiologist and a general dentist. In case of disagreement between the observers, measurements were repeated and the mean value was used for analysis. Data were analyzed by using linear regression. Results: The results showed that the thickness of buccal cortical plate increased from the canine towards the second molar site. The second molar site had the greatest density and thickness. Gender had a significant effect on the thickness of buccal cortical plate (P lt;0.05) but the effect of right/ left quadrant was not significant (P gt;0.05). The effect of age on this thickness was insignificant in some (P gt;0.05) and significant (P lt;0.05) in some other areas such that by an increase in age of patients, this thickness decreased (i.e. at the apex of canine, second premolar and second molar teeth). Conclusion: The buccal cortical plate thickness of the mandible increases from the anterior towards the posterior region, and the second molar area has the greatest thickness and density suitable for placement of orthodontic miniimplants or harvesting autogenous grafts.