Prevalence of horizontal alveolar changes in edentulous patients: a retrospective tomographic study

Abstract

Horizontal bone loss after tooth extraction is a common finding that demands bone reconstruction in various cases. The aim of this study was to assess the horizontal alveolar status in partially and completely edentulous patients using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). In total, 1516 CBCT scans of 1404 adult patients were analyzed. Assessment of the images was performed in accordance with the previously published horizontal alveolar change (HAC) classification, which categorizes horizontal bone defects into four classes: HAC 1, HAC 2, HAC 3 and HAC 4 (from the least severe to the most severe condition). Analysis of 1048 scans from partially edentulous patients presented a distribution of 63.55%, 22.14%, 13.36% and 0.95% in HAC 1, HAC 2, HAC 3 and HAC 4, respectively. Analysis of 468 scans from completely edentulous patient images presented a distribution of 19.87%, 28.63%, 41.67% and 9.83% in HAC 1, HAC 2, HAC 3 and HAC 4, respectively. Based on these results, as in HAC 4, no cancellous bone was found between the cortical buccal and lingual/palatal bone plates, it seems reasonable to state that the absence of cancellous bone is higher in completely edentulous patients than in partially edentulous patients. Therefore, the absence of cancellous bone seems to be higher in completely edentulous than in partially edentulous patients.

Dental Implantation; Athrophy; Maxilla; Mandible; Prevalence

Introduction

In completely and partially edentulous patients, rehabilitation using dental implants is a well documented treatment in various clinical situations. However, not all patients should be submitted to this type of rehabilitation, particularly because of the deficiency of bone tissue that allows implant placement. ¹ Despite this issue, it seems reasonable to state that it’s possible to correct most of these bone deficiencies, thus broadening the range of patients eligible for implant-supported rehabilitation. For this purpose, surgical techniques that use donor sites that allow bone gain ( i.e ., autogenous grafts) or the use of bone substitutes ( e.g. , homogeneous, xenogeneic or synthetic grafts) are been used. ²

Correction of bone defects should be carefully evaluated in relation to the characteristics of the remaining bone tissue. This can be achieved with the help of a classification system to organize and categorize the different types of defects, assisting the professional in the individualized planning of the case. One of these classifications proposed by Pelegrine et al., ³ HAC (Horizontal Alveolar Change Classification), addresses horizontal bone defects involving the maxilla and/or mandible.

HAC classification presents four categories ( i.e. , HAC 1, 2, 3 and 4), and the examination of choice to enable such categorization is cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). This examination represents a tool that is used very frequently in dentistry, and the classification system allows the categorization of the horizontal bone defect according to the presence or absence of cancellous bone tissue. Moreover, the classification system indicates the type of graft material that could be used for each case and is a predictor of results, according to information presented in Table .

Table
Horizontal Alveolar Change (HAC) classification.

Classification	Amount of alveolar horizontal loss	Surgical approach (stages)	Presence of cancellous bone	Imperative need of autogenous graft or bone inductive proteins/live cell transplant	Material for augmentation	Maxilla aspect on CT	Mandible aspect on CT
HAC1	Small	Single	Yes	No	No
HAC2	Small	Single	Yes	No	Osseoconductive biomatrial
HAC3	Moderate	Two	Yes	No	Osseoconductive biomatrial
HAC4	Large	Two	No	Yes	Autogenous or biomaterial with bone inductive proteins/live cell transplant

³

According to HAC classification, in situations of horizontal bone loss that result in HAC 4 defects, there is a demand for autogenous bone grafting or the use of tissue engineering techniques ³ . By contrast, in all other situations ( i.e. , HAC 1, 2 and 3), there is no imperative need for vitalized grafts. Because the approach of a donor bed in autogenous grafting has been related to a greater potential for postoperative morbidity ⁴ and with the current tendency for the selection of less invasive procedures, the determination of edentulous sites that allow reconstruction with another type of bone grafting material ( i.e. , homogeneous, xenogeneic or alloplastic grafts) is of great importance in daily clinical practice. In this scope, a study of the prevalence of different types of horizontal bone defects becomes of great importance to allow the presentation of the scenario found in both completely and partially edentulous individuals. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of horizontal alveolar changes in partially and completely edentulous patients using cone-beam computed tomography.

Methodology

This study was designed as a retrospective examination of CBCT scans to assess the horizontal alveolar changes in partially and completely edentulous patients. In total, the 1516 CBCT scans of 1404 adult patients (≥ 18 years) in the image database of Faculdade São Leopoldo Mandic, Instituto de Pesquisa São Leopoldo Mandic, were analyzed. A single and calibrated examiner (M. A. D.) analyzed all the images between August 2017 and December 2018. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of São Leopoldo Mandic Institute (Protocol number 88483218.5.0000.5374).

Inclusion criteria

Patients who needed either no bone augmentation or horizontal bone augmentation and who were evaluated by CT scans performed prior to the beginning of dental implant treatment were included. Only scans from adult patients (≥ 18 years) were selected for this study.

Non-inclusion criteria

Any CBCT scan that showed signs of trauma, supernumerary teeth, crowding, previous apical surgery, and cysts and any images that presented with a lack of clarity or excessive scattering were excluded.

Computed tomography analysis

Image device

An i-CAT 3D (Kavo Dental GmbH, Biberach, Germany) CBCT unit equipped with a full 24.2 cm × 19.3 cm sensor capable of yielding a full height three-dimensional (3D) scan (13 cm × 16 cm) in 4.8 seconds and a voxel size (slice thickness = 0.3 mm) at 0.3 × 0.3 × 0.3 mm was used to capture, process, and store the reconstructed 3D data together with the original two-dimensional projection views. The tube voltage and current were fixed at 85 kV and 7 mA, as recommended by the manufacturer. Accuracy was limited to the inherent voxel size (0.3 mm) of the CBCT machine used in acquiring the scans.

Image manipulation

A sagittal view for each area was reconstructed and analyzed by a computer using i-CATVision (Kavo Dental GmbH, Biberach, Germany) 3D visualization and measurement software. Alveolar ridge thickness and the presence or absence of cancellous bone were evaluated. All analyses were performed by a single experienced examiner (MAD) and were confirmed by a second examiner (AAP) with a 15-day interval between both analyses.

Image evaluation

Images obtained in DICOM format with 96 dpi resolution and 14-bit grayscale and were converted and analyzed using Dental Slice software (Bioparts, Brasília, Brazil) ( Figure 1 ). Assessment of the images was made in accordance with the horizontal alveolar change (HAC) classification, considering the worst scenario per jaw (i.e., the lowest area of available bone). As determined previously by Pelegrine et al., ³ the following classification was based on four different situations:

Figure 1
Screenshot of DentalSlice software.

1. HAC 1: slight bone resorption without bone reconstruction need due to the possibility of implant placement in an ideal position without grafting. There is the presence of cancellous bone between the cortical buccal and palatal/lingual bone plates and possibility of a single surgical approach with immediate implant placement.

2. HAC 2: slight bone resorption with a minor need for bone reconstruction that can be achieved using an osteoconductive biomaterial because of the presence of cancellous bone between the cortical buccal and palatal/lingual bone plates. It also allows for a single surgical approach, with immediate implant placement.

3. HAC 3: moderate bone resorption, but still with remaining cancellous bone at the residual alveolar site, requiring only the use of osteoconductive biomaterial for reconstruction. However, because the required bone reconstruction is significant, in these situations, a two-stage surgical approach is usually needed: first, just the bone graft procedure and, a few months later, the implant.

4. HAC 4: severe bone resorption, with no remaining cancellous bone at the residual alveolar site, requiring the use of osteoconductive, osteoinductive, and osteogenic material ( i.e. , autogenous bone graft or bone tissue engineering with live cell transplantation or bone-inductive proteins). Because the required bone reconstruction is significant, a two-stage surgical approach is imperative.

Results

Descriptive statistics

In total, 1516 CBCT scans from 1404 patients, 458 men and 946 women, with an age range from 18 to 75 years (56 ± 10.4 years), were analyzed. The analysis of 1048 scans from partially edentulous patients presented a distribution of 63.55%, 22.14%, 11.55% and 2.6% in HAC 1, HAC 2, HAC 3 and HAC 4, respectively.

Analysis of 468 scans from completely edentulous patient presented a distribution of 19.87%, 28.63%, 41.67% and 9.83% in HAC 1, HAC 2, HAC 3 and HAC 4, respectively.

Figure 2 shows the results for both partially and completely edentulous patients.

Figure 2
Prevalence of partially and completely edentulous patients for HAC 1, HAC 2, HAC 3 and HAC 4.

Discussion

The purpose of this 2-year retrospective study was to investigate the pre-surgical morphology analysis of the alveolar ridge of patients who would undergo bone augmentation surgeries. This issue is of major importance due to the need for an adequate treatment plan for bone graft procedures. Thus, knowledge of the prevalence of different types of bone defects certainly would assist the clinicians to understand the clinical scenario of bone defects in both partially and completely edentulous patients. Moreover, because appositional bone graft techniques are related to high rates of complications, ⁵ it is important to categorize the defects in order of complexity. However, because the loss of bone thickness precedes the loss of height ⁶ , which explains why appositional approaches aimed at horizontal augmentation are the most prevalent, the present study focused on the determination of the prevalence of different types of horizontal bone defects. In this study, a total of 1516 CBCT scans from 1404 patients were evaluated. The number of CBCT scans was higher than the number of patients because some patients had edentulous sites in different jaws ( i.e ,. maxilla and mandible).

In a previous study, our group developed a classification of horizontal alveolar changes based, specifically, on the presence or absence of cancellous bone. ³ This retrospective study showed that, in sites where the cancellous bone is absent, bone reconstruction is only predictable using a vitalized bone graft (e.g., autografts). On the other hand, this study showed that horizontal bone augmentation using bone substitutes (i.e., allograft, alloplastic and xenograft) is predictable in situations where cancellous bone is present between the buccal and lingual/palatal cortical bone plates. Therefore, this previously published classification contributes to the decision-making process concerning bone augmentation therapy. These findings encouraged our group to develop the HAC (Horizontal Alveolar Changes) Classification ( Table ) in a previous study and, in the present study, to establish the prevalence of each HAC subtype for partially and completely edentulous patients.

In the present study, it was showed that the prevalence rates of HAC 1 and 2 for partially edentulous patients were much higher when compared to completely edentulous patients. Therefore, regarding HAC 1 and 2, because there is no need to perform implant placement in a second surgical stage, it is possible to verify that a single-stage approach could be used for most of the partially edentulous patients because HAC 1 and 2 represent 85.69%. On the other hand, for completely edentulous patients, HAC 1 and 2 are present in 48.5% of cases. Thus, although HAC 3 demands in some situations a single- or two-stage approach, it can be speculated that the need for a two-stage approach would be more frequent in completely edentulous than in partially edentulous patients. This finding can also be verified by analyzing the prevalence of HAC 3 and HAC 4. Considering HAC 3 and HAC 4 together, the prevalence in partially edentulous patients was 14.31% and that in completely edentulous was 51.50%. Because HAC 3 and HAC 4 are unique situations that can demand a two-stage surgical approach, the regenerative treatment of completely edentulous patients could present more morbidity. Moreover, similar to HAC 4, in which there is an imperative need for autogenous bone graft (or tissue engineering techniques), completely edentulous patients could be related to a higher indication of donor area bone collection, due to the prevalence of 9.83% of HAC 4 in completely edentulous versus 0.95% in partially edentulous patients. As the approach of the donor area is related to more morbidity than the recipient site, ⁴ the morbidity of the recipient bed is more prevalent in completely edentulous patients. Moreover, the findings of the present study, when analyzed together with the findings of the previous study of our group ³ , might permit us to infer that the need for a vitalized graft, such as autogenous bone, seems to be more necessary in a higher number of completely edentulous patients than in partially edentulous patients, and the opposite can be stated concerning the need for any kind of bone augmentation.

When analyzing the results for HAC 1 prevalence in isolation, a huge difference was observed between partially and completely edentulous patients (63.55% and 19.87, respectively). Because HAC 1 indicates “no need for bone reconstruction due to the possibility of implant placement in an ideal position without grafting”, in partially edentulous patients, the need for any type of bone augmentation seems to be less necessary than that in completely edentulous patients. It does not means that, in HAC 1, slight bone augmentation or even a soft tissue graft cannot be performed for aesthetics purposes in HAC 1 situations, especially in anterior sites in patients with a gummy smile. In this regard, even in situations of fresh sockets with no bone loss, a technique that uses bone grafts inside and over the external surface of the facial socket could be used for aesthetics purposes. ⁷ Regarding this subject, Masaki et al. ⁸ stated that, to obtain stable and long-term esthetics, it is necessary to combine soft-tissue grafts in addition to hard tissue augmentation.

In the present study, the prevalence differences observed between partially and completely edentulous patients could be explained, mainly, by the presence of the remaining teeth around the bone defects in partially edentulous patients. However, other circumstances such as the more frequent use of a removable prosthesis by completely edentulous patients should be considered. The complete preservation of alveolar bone is just possible by maintaining the root inside the socket because, although alveolar ridge preservation procedures are effective in reducing postextraction alveolar bone resorption, these procedures do not completely prevent postextraction hard tissue dimensional changes. ⁹ The extraction of a tooth will result in some level of bone loss and, in sites with a thin buccal bone plate, approximately 35% of thickness loss is expected 6 months after extraction. ¹⁰ , ¹¹ The presence of adjacent teeth, by maintaining the bone structure around them, minimizes the horizontal bone loss of adjacent edentulous areas. Thus, based on HAC Classification, as the presence of cancellous bone allows the usage of bone substitute biomaterials, the results of the present prevalence study show that these biomaterials could be used more to treat partially than completely edentulous patients (and the opposite can be stated concerning the use of autografts). This statement is, mainly, based on the knowledge that the cortical lamellar bone does not have a high level of vitality ¹² and that the cancellous compartment has high vitality and a huge osteogenic potential, mainly due to the endosteum and bone marrow. ¹³

Different classifications of ridge defects have been published, such as the classifications of Seibert, ¹⁴ Allen et al., ¹⁵ Lekholm and Zarb, ¹⁶ Misch and Judy ¹⁷ and, more recently, Wang and Al-Shammari ¹⁸ and Park et al. ¹⁹ However, these classifications do not correlate between the defect characteristic and the possibility of using bone substitute biomaterials or indicate the imperative use of vitalized grafts. Nevertheless, despite the importance of HAC Classification published in 2018 ³ and importance of the present prevalent study, it is important to recognize that both studies are based in retrospective analysis and, therefore, the accomplishment of future investigations with a prospective design is mandatory. Moreover, a dataset of only one university was used, which is a limitation of this study.

Conclusions

Based on this prevalence study, the absence of cancellous bone is higher in completely edentulous patients than that in partially edentulous patients.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank CAPES for the financial support (#001).

References

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Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  27 Feb 2020
• Date of issue
  2020

History

• Received
  13 Aug 2019
• Accepted
  10 Dec 2019
• Reviewed
  17 Jan 2020