The study of upper anterior alveolar morphology in gummy smile patients

Abstract

Objective To investigate the anatomical features of alveolar bone in gummy smile patients with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), and provide the reference for miniscrews implanted in anterior alveolar crest.Methods A total of 63 cases of adults with gummy smile were selected for the study and the CBCT data of jaw bones were obtained. The mesiodistal interradicular distances, buccal-lingual thickness and buccal cortical bone thickness were measured at three different level which included 4 mm,6 mm and 8 mm above the alveolar crest.Results The mesiodistal interradicular distances increased along with distance between measure level and alveolar crest.(P0.05). The buccal cortical bone thickness increased along with distance between measure level and alveolar crest (P<0.05). The thicknesses were the least between central incisors while the most between lateral incisor and canine (P<0.05).Conclusion The mesiodistal interradicular distances,buccal-lingual thickness and buccal cortical bone thickness are found increased with the height level. Given the most bone mass and cortical bone thickness, canine and lateral incisor interval can be recommended as the place for the miniscrews inserting.

Keywords

• Cone-beam computed tomography
• Miniscrew
• Gummy smile
• Alveolar morphology
• Anterior tooth