Evaluation of the effect of the residual bone angulation on implant-supported fixed prostheses in mandibular posterior edentulism. Part I: Spiral computed tomography study.

Dental implants are usually angulated buccolingually because of the anatomy of the residual bone in mandibular posterior edentulous cases. Although angulated dental implants compromise the construction of implant-supported prostheses, the effect of buccolingual angulation of the residual bone has not been clearly stated. This study is performed to determine the biomechanical effect of buccolingual angulation. The goal was to reveal the actual buccolingual angulation values of the residual bone in which implants were to be placed. Thirty mandibular Kennedy I and II cases comprised of forty edentulous posterior regions with missing second premolars and first, second, and third molars were included. Buccolingual angulation values along the 28 mm of residual bone were measured on 1-mm spacing cross-sectional images of spiral computed tomography. Paired sample t test was used for the statistical analysis. The minimum angulation values at the second premolar, first molar, and second molar region were 0 degrees, 3 degrees, and 9 degrees, respectively. The average angulation values were 4 degrees, 10 degrees, and 15 degrees, respectively, and the maximum angulation values were 11 degrees, 18 degrees, and 22 degrees, respectively. The ability to measure the buccolingual angulation of mandibular posterior residual bone before dental implantation may help the clinician at the implant treatment-planning phase.