Assessment of Anatomical Position of Posterior Teeth and Alveolar Bone Height in Malaysian Population Based on Panoramic Radiographs
Author(s): Norliza Ibrahim*, Tameem Khuder, Farishah Nur Binti Abd Samad, Syahira Binti Tuan Baharom, Muhammad Khan Asif, Rohana Ahmad, Norsiah Yunus and Samah Mohammed AL-Amery
Abstract
Introduction: Familiar knowledge of posterior teeth positions and alveolar bone heights of dentate maxilla and mandible and their alterations according to gender and race may serve as a reference for implant planning, orthodontic therapy, and forensic work.
The aim: The aim of this study was to determine the location of first premolar and first molar in the maxilla and the mandible from the midline followed by the assessment of the maxillary and mandibular alveolar bone heights using panoramic radiographs of the dentate Malaysian population.
Materials and Methods: Panoramic images of 153 subjects were collected and classified according to gender, race and age group. Horizontal and vertical heights of maxilla and mandible at the first premolar and first molar areas were measured using Image J software.
Results: There were no statistically significant differences among gender, race and age groups regarding tooth position, except for maxillary first premolars that were located more distally in females (p=0.016). Maxillary first premolars and first molars were located approximately 47% and 76%, respectively, of the horizontal length of the maxilla from the midline. Mandibular first premolars and first molars were located at 39% and 57%, respectively, of the length of the mandible from the midline. Alveolar bone heights of dentate males were greater than females. Indians have the smallest alveolar bone height compared to Malays and Chinese.
Conclusions: The positions of posterior teeth are not influenced by gender, race, and age in the Malaysian population. The alveolar bone heights of dentate maxilla and mandible are influenced by gender. However, at certain locations, the height can be influenced by race.