Facial alveolar bone thickness and modifying factors of anterior maxillary teeth: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cone-beam computed tomography studies

Abstract Background Understanding the anatomy of facial alveolar bone (FAB), provides a prognostic tool for estimating degree dimensional ridge alterations after tooth extraction. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to determine FAB thickness modifying factors anterior maxillary teeth measured by CBCT scans. A secondary objective was assess distance from cementoenamel junction (CEJ) crest. Methods An electronic search made Medline, Embase, Web Science, Cochrane Library Google Scholar up December 2019. Studies that analyze quantitatively compare at scans were included. The methodological quality included studies appraised using ROBINS-I overall meta-evidence certainty GRADE approach. single means random-effects performed obtain weighted mean 95% confidence interval. meta-regression covariates subgroup analysis conducted. nullity Q h test I 2 index heterogeneity estimated. Results 2560 potentially relevant articles recorded which 29 selected qualitative analysis, including 17,321 teeth. Seventeen considered crest, 12 CEJ as reference point their measurements. Mean ≤ 1 mm in incisors canines (0.75–1.05 mm) 1–2 premolars. Patients over 50 years age, females thin gingival phenotype associated with thinner some apico-coronal locations canines. geographical setting an effect modifier could explain 87% thickness, being Asian populations showed lowest values. CEJ-bone crest 2–2.5 all analyzed. Population age exhibited greater distances, males also trend distance. Evidence has shown moderate most subsets. Conclusions Facial is thin, heterogeneous width along its dimensions, increases presented homogeneous similar values