Objective: An adequate alveolar facial bone thickness (FBT) and facial bone height (FBH) in the mandibular anterior region is essential for implant placement. However, the diabetic condition may affect FBT and FBH. The aim of the study is to compare the alveolar FBT and FBH in the anterior mandibular region of diabetic and non-diabetic individuals utilizing Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) images.
Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in dental clinics of Riyadh Elm University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A total of 46 CBCT images belonging to the diabetic (n=23) and non-diabetic (n=23) individuals were obtained from the radiographic image database of the hospital. The alveolar FBT and FBH in the anterior mandibular region were measured directly on CBCT images using Galileos 3D Digital Imaging System in Sagittal and cross-sectional view.
Results: The comparison of mean FBT between non-diabetic and diabetic individuals in central incisors (0.96±0.25 vs. 0.79±0.24, p=0.025) and lateral incisors (1.00±0.23 vs. 0.78±0.17, p=0.001) showed a statistically significant difference. Similarly, the mean FBH between non-diabetic and diabetic individuals differed significantly in central (31.37.96±2.98 vs. 26.07±6.58, p=0.001) and lateral incisor (31.20±3.05 vs. 26.79±6.83, p=0.008) regions.
Conclusions: Based on our study, non-diabetic individuals showed higher alveolar FBT and FBH levels than diabetic individuals. Hence, diabetic condition affects the alveolar FBT and FBH around the central and lateral incisor regions.