Radiographic Comparison of the Width of the Inferior Cortex of the Mandible and the Height and Density of the Alveolar Bone in Smoking and Non-smoking Males using Cone-beam Tomography Images

Abstract

Background: Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images have favorable quality and are more valuable in the evaluation of the dimensions and density of the alveolar bone. In the present study, CBCT images were used to compare the height and density of the alveolar bone and the width of the inferior cortex of the mandible in smoking and non-smoking male subjects. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive/cross-sectional study, a total of 286 subjects were included in the study based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The subjects were divided into two groups of smokers and non-smokers. Digital CBCT images were taken, and data were analyzed separately with the use of descriptive statistics and independent samples t-test and non-parametric Mann-Whitney test, using SPSS 21. Results: The heights of the alveolar crest in smokers and non- smokers were 3.12 آ± 0.22 and 3.49 آ± 0.85 mm, respectively (P = 0.001). The means of the width of the inferior cortex of the mandible in smoking and non-smoking subjects were 4.36 آ± 1.00 and 4.43 آ± 1.47 mm, respectively (P = 0.65). The means of alveolar bone density based on the gray level in non-smokers and smokers were 684.49 آ± 126.8 and 653.25 آ± 131.45, respectively (P = 0.063). Conclusion: In the present study, the alveolar bone density and the width of the inferior cortex of the mandible were the same in smokers and non-smokers while the heights of the alveolar crest were less in smokers.