Bone thickness of the palate for orthodontic mini-implant anchorage in adults

Palatal Bone Density in Adult Subjects: Implications for Mini-Implant Placement

“…11 Palatal bone density was measured at 90 separate coordinates at intervals of 2 mm mediolaterally (ML) and 3 mm anteroposterioly (AP). ML intervals on both sides were successively marked ML ϭ 1 to 5 and AP grids as AP ϭ 1 to 9 ( Figure 1A).…”

“…Many studies have assessed bone quantity in the palate, but only a few have examined palatal bone densities. [5][6][7]11 Therefore, the purpose of this study was to quantitatively evaluate bone density in the palate so as to provide guidelines for mini-implant placement that are essential for implant site selection and implant success prediction.…”

“…Regarding bone thickness, mini-implants are recommended to be placed posterior to AP ϭ 1 at ML ϭ 1 because of issues with bone volume. 11 When both bone quantity and bone quality are taken into consideration, mini-implants can be placed safely at sites at least 3 mm posterior to the incisive foramen at ML ϭ 1. Bone density decreases as AP moves posteriorly and ML moves laterally, especially posterior to AP ϭ 6 and ML ϭ 4 and 5, where values lower than 850 HU were observed in some subjects.…”

“…Similar variation in bone thickness of the palate has been found in other studies. 7,11 When both bone quantity and the quality of mini-implant placement are taken into account, the posterior and lateral regions of the palate should be considered so the possibility of perforation and loosening of the implant can be reduced.…”

“…4 This is consistent with a previous study in which sites posterior to AP ϭ 5 and ML ϭ 2 showed insufficient bone volume. 11 Moreover, the bone density for most sites at ML ϭ 2 was categorized as D1 (Ͼ1250 HU), having dense cortical bone. 13 It has been reported that placing implants in D1 bone results in increased failure compared with placement in D2 and D3 bones.…”