Alveolar ridge width and height changes after orthodontic space opening in patients congenitally missing maxillary lateral incisors.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the dimensional changes of the alveolar ridge in patients with congenitally missing maxillary lateral incisors. The width and height of the alveolar ridge were compared before and after opening space for an endosseous dental implant between the central incisor and canine. Pre- and post-treatment dental stone models of 31 patients (8 males, 23 females; mean age 15.1 ± 7.9 years pre-treatment, 17.6 ± 8 years post-treatment) with unilaterally or bilaterally, congenitally missing maxillary lateral incisors were used in this study. Pre- and post-treatment measurements included: the space between the maxillary central incisor and canine, the depth of the labial concavity, and the width and height of the lateral incisor alveolar ridge. Two different techniques were used to measure the ridge width. Student's paired samples t-test was used to test for significance. The alveolar ridge underwent statistically significant width loss (Method 1: 4-8 per cent, Method 2: 13-15 per cent) during the course of orthodontic treatment. A 6-12 per cent loss in ridge height was also noted. The depth of the labial concavity between the maxillary central incisor and canine nearly doubled. There was a significant decrease in the width and height of the alveolar ridge in patients congenitally missing a maxillary lateral incisor who received orthodontic treatment to create space for an endosseous dental implant.