Quantitative analysis of basal bone width as an index for immediate implant placement in the aesthetic zone: A retrospective study.

Purpose: The basal bone of the anterior maxilla plays a crucial role in maintaining primary stability of immediate implants. However, no consensus exists on the relationship between basal bone width and immediate implant success, unlike for basal bone length. This study presents a clinical scheme to predict the primary stability of immediate implants using the basal bone width.

Methods: Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images were acquired from 1000 patients to determine the quantitative characteristics of the basal bone of the anterior maxilla. Basal bone dimensions, including the length and width along the tooth and bone axes, and immediate implant-related hard tissue indices, were measured on the sagittal sections. Descriptive statistics, frequency, multiple correlation, and canonical correlation analyses were performed.

Results: Basal bone indices were significantly greater in men than in women and exhibited different patterns of change with increasing age. Canonical correlation analyses revealed that the basal bone indices, especially basal bone width, correlated with other immediate implant-related indicators, among which the total width of the basal bone at 2 mm apical to the apex (Apical-2mm) exhibited the greatest contribution. Apical-2mm was positively correlated with the coronal bone dimensions, apical bone dimensions, basal bone length, and angulation.

Conclusions: The basal bone width of the maxillary anterior tooth may reflect the distribution of other implant-related anatomical indices, which may provide an additional reference for predicting the primary stability of an immediate implant.