Do alveolar bone defects merit orthodontists' respect?
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the incidence and distribution of alveolar bony defects in the mandibular anterior area.


METHODS
A flap procedure was performed to expose the labial alveolar bone of the mandibular anterior area of 32 patients. The presence of alveolar defects including dehiscences and fenestrations were recorded.


RESULTS
Seventy-eight percent (25) of the examined patients had at least one tooth with an alveolar bony defect. Dehiscences were found to be most commonly associated with the midline of the labial surface of mandibular left and right canines followed by the mesiolabial line of the same teeth.


CONCLUSIONS
The structure and topography of alveolar bone should be considered prior to the treatment planning and tooth movement. Moreover, there is a tremendous need to develop a noninvasive precise method for diagnosing alveolar defects.
Mostafa
Yehya Ahmed
YA
Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Oral and Dental Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt. mangoury@usa.net
El Sharaby
Fouad Aly
FA
El Beialy
Amr Ragab
AR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000473:pathology; D001641:Bicuspid / Q000473:pathology; D003481:Cuspid / Q000473:pathology; D003724:Dental Arch / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008336:Mandibular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009971:Orthodontics, Corrective; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D019237:Tooth Cervix / Q000473:pathology; D014087:Tooth Movement Techniques; D055815:Young Adult