Bone and cortical bone thickness of mandibular buccal shelf for mini-screw insertion in adults

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the buccal bone thickness, bone depth, and cortical bone depth of the mandibular buccal shelf (MBS) to determine the most suitable sites of the MBS for mini-screw insertion. Materials and Methods: The sample included cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) records of 30 adult subjects (mean age 30.9 ± 7.0 years) evaluated retrospectively. All CBCT examinations were performed with the i-CAT CBCT scanner. Each exam was converted into DICOM format and processed with OsiriX Medical Imaging software. Proper view sections of the MBS were obtained for quantitative and qualitative evaluation of bone characteristics. Results: Mesial and distal second molar root scan sections showed enough buccal bone for mini-screw insertion. The evaluation of bone depth was performed at 4 and 6 mm buccally to the cementoenamel junction. The mesial root of the mandibular second molar at 4 and 6 mm showed average bone depths of 18.51 mm and 14.14 mm, respectively. The distal root of the mandibular secon...