• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.43-53
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• 1999

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze radiologically the location and course of the mandibular canal and to observe the alveolar and basal bone changes during the remodeling procedures of atrophic mandible. Materials and Methods: CT scanning was performed on dry 30 edentulous or partially dentulous mandibles. In 48 edentulous lower halves, measuring areas were determined by three points in the length of the mandibular canal. The distance from the mandibular canal towards cranial and caudal edges, buccal and lingual external borders of the body of the mandible were measured. A statistical comparison between the mean values of different classes of mandibular body was carried out in the selected areas. Results: The distance between the mandibular canal and caudal borders of the body of the mandible and lingual borders dose not change in the atrophic process of mandible. The mandibular canal within the mandible courses downwards from mandibular foramen towards mesial and subsequently it gets to the mental foramen. The distance between the mandibular canal and buccal external border of basal bone changes similar to the change of cranial borders of alveolar bone in the atrophic process of mandible. Conclusion: CT scanning was very effective and practicable to analyze the location and course of the mandibular canal and to observe the alveolar and basal bone changes of atrophic mandible. Also more detailed investigation of basal bone changes observed during the remodeling procedures of atrophic mandibles seems reasonable to rely on the massive anthropologic collections of atrophic mandibles combined with CT scanning.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.141-145
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• 2002

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to propose standard values for alveolar and basal bone in normal adult mandibles, and radiologically analyze the remodeling process of the edentulous mandible by examining molar areas and comparing them to the established normal values. Materials and Methods : Panoramic and CT scans of mandible were performed on 20 normal adults and 20 edentulous or partially edentulous adults. In both groups, arch half diameter and distance of alveolar bone were measured. Also the distance from the mandibular canal to the caudal edges, the buccal and lingual external borders of basal bone, were measured. A statistical comparison between the mean values of normal and edentulous mandibles was carried out in the selected areas. Results : There was evidence of decreasing arch half diameter and distance in the edentulous mandible, but statistically no significant change was seen between the normal and edentulous alveolar bone. There was evidence of decreasing buccal basal bone and increasing in the lingual basal bone in the edentulous mandible. A statistically significant difference between normal and edentulous mandibles was noted in the buccal basal bone. Conclusion: There was an inward and forward atrophic change of the edentulous mandibular molar area compared to the control. CT scanning required the use of sophisticated and expensive procedures to analyze the remodeling process of edentulous mandibles. Consequently, the development and application of a more simplified and objective radiographic procedure for broad and long-term study of remodeling procedures of edentulous mandible was recommended.