Comparative evaluation of characteristics of spongiosa in alveolar and basal bones of human jaws: A dry skull study.

Background: To give immediate strength to the implants, which are inserted into the bone, the bone should be hard and strong. The bone, in particular the trabecular width (TW) of the cancellous bone, is thin and therefore weak.

Aim: To compare the human jaw microanatomy of the alveolar and basal bones for implant stability to find whether the trabecular bone of the basal parts is wider and stronger than the alveolar parts of the jaws.

Materials and methods: Strategic areas were identified and marked in both the jaws for the study of spongiosa in the alveolar and basal bones. The jaw bones were sectioned along the marked orientation. The collected specimen was grounded and smoothed. After processing of the specimen, it was observed under a stereo microscope to assess the spongiosa (microanatomy).

Statistical analysis used: Comparative observational study using standard of deviation.

Results: In the maxilla, the TW in the anterior nasal spine of the alveolar bone was 62.2 ± 13.7 μm and of the basal bone was 31.7 ± 8.89 μm. This variation in the TW, i.e. widest in the alveolar zone and least in the basal zone, was found to be true for all the strategic areas of the skull.

Conclusions: In the maxilla as well as mandible, when we started comparing bone marrow space diameter (BMSD) and TW in the alveolar and basal bones, on specific strategic locations individually, BMSD increases and TW decreases. Thus, the TW of the cancellous bone moving from the alveolar to the basal part was thin and weak.