Morphological Basis of Dental Implant Placement in Mandibular Posterior Regions: A Cone Beam CT Study at University College Hospital Ibadan

Dental implant placement in the posterior mandible requires detailed anatomical assessment of bone height, width, and the inferior alveolar canal position to prevent nerve injury and implant failure. Cone Beam Computed Tomography provides three-dimensional anatomical visualisation that surpasses the capability of conventional dental radiographs. In Nigeria, where dental implantology is expanding rapidly, anatomical data on mandibular bone dimensions and inferior alveolar canal morphometry specific to Nigerian patients are needed. This study aims to evaluate mandibular morphometric parameters relevant to posterior implant placement using Cone Beam CT scans from patients at University College Hospital Ibadan, South West Nigeria. Measurements including available bone height above the inferior alveolar canal, bone width at the crest, and the angulation of the inferior alveolar canal will be recorded at the mandibular second premolar and first and second molar sites. Differences by sex, age, and edentulism status will be analysed. The study anticipates producing an anatomical reference dataset for posterior mandibular implant planning applicable to implantologists practising at teaching hospitals in South West Nigeria, reducing the risk of neurovascular injury during implant surgery.

Keywords: dental implant, mandibular anatomy, Cone Beam CT, inferior alveolar canal, Ibadan