Objective: To classify the relationship of the sagittal root positions of the maxillary anterior teeth to their respective osseous housings, and to measure the thickness of facial and palatal alveolar bone by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).
Methods: Twenty-three subjects [9 male, 14 female, mean age: (24.5 ± 1.6) years] who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were involved in this study. The CBCT images were evaluated and the relationship of the sagittal root position of the maxillary anterior teeth to its associated osseous housing was recorded as Kan's Class 1, 2, 3, 4. The facial and palatal alveolar bone thickness at three locations:2 mm apical to crest level, mid-root level and apical level, was measured respectively.
Results: Ninety seven point one percent(134/138)of the anterior maxillary teeth were classified as Class 1. Only 2.9% (4/138) were Class 4.Occurrences of > 2 mm thickness of maxillary facial alveolar bone were found 2.2% (6/276 sites) at 2 mm apical to crest level and mid-root level in the sample of maxillary anterior teeth.
Conclusions: The majority of the anterior maxillary teeth roots were positioned close to the labial cortical plate. Most tooth sites in the anterior maxilla had a thin facial bone wall.