Location of the mandibular canal and thickness of the occlusal cortical bone at dental implant sites in the lower second premolar and first molar.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the location of the mandibular canal and the thickness of the occlusal cortical bone at dental implant sites in the lower second premolar and lower first molar by using dental cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Seventy-nine sites (47 second premolar and 32 first molar sites) were identified in the dental CBCT examinations of 47 patients. In this study, 4 parameters were measured: (1) MC-the distance from the mandibular canal to the upper border of the mandible; (2) CD-the distance from the mandibular canal to the buccal border of the mandible; (3) MD-the distance from the mandibular canal to the lingual border of the mandible; (4) TC-the thickness of the cortical bone at the occlusal side. A statistical analysis was employed to compare the size and differences between these 4 parameters at the lower second premolar and lower first molar. Regarding the MC and MD, the experimental results showed no statistical difference between the first molar and second premolar. However, the TC for the second premolar was greater than that of the first molar. Thus, careful consideration is necessary in choosing the size of and operation type for dental implants.