Dentulous versus edentulous mandibles: CBCT-based morphometric assessment of mandibular canal and alveolar bone

Precise preoperative knowledge of the mandibular canal (MC) variations and alveolar bone dimensions are vital elements for a successful dental implant. Thus, this study aimed to describe the three-dimensional morphology of the MC and alveolar bone dimensions, followed by a comparison of the variables in edentulous mandibular posterior sides with contralateral dentulous sides among adult Chinese individuals. Such variations were also studied in relation to gender and age.Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) was used for the morphometric analysis of the MC and alveolar bone dimensions in this cross-sectional study that analyzed retrospectively gathered data. Records of 112 individuals (56 mal…