The Relationship of Various Arch Forms and Cortical Bone Thickness

OBJECTIVE Implants are being used in orthodontics as a reliable mode of anchorage. Among other factors, the cortical bone thickness plays a major role in determining the stability of these implants. The objective of this study was to study the relationship of various arch forms and the cortical bone thickness and to determine if the cortical bone thickness varies between various arch forms. This would help to determine the ideal length of an implant for a particular arch form. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cross sectional tomograph was obtained from 30 patients. Based on arch forms the patients' tomographs were equally divided into three basic square, tapered and ovoid categories, each consisting of 10 patients. Consequently, their buccal and lingual cortical plate thicknesses were measured. RESULTS The results showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the three arch forms, in which the square arch form had the greatest cortical bone thickness among the three arch forms. CONCLUSION Patients having a tapered arch form may require implants with greater length than patients having a square or an ovoid arch form. Since the availability of the cortical bone in square arch patients is greater, there is more stability for the implants in these cases; therefore, implants with a shorter length may be used in these cases.